That's a wrap for our coverage of the Intercontinental Cup 2024. The Indian football team is in action again in exactly a month's time, as they take on Vietnam on October 9, before facing Lebanon on October 12. Manolo Marquez would hope to have a better grip on how his team functions by then.

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The only redeeming point to take away from these two Intercontinental Cup games will be that second half vs Syria. Yes, India conceded two late goals. But despite trailing, they created several chances and could've scored if they'd been more clinical. 

"We were scared in the first half, but 3-0 does not show the reality. We deserved to score in the second half," says coach Manolo Marquez, who has suffered his first loss as an India coach.

It was Mahmoud Al-Aswad who gave Syria a very early lead, in just the seventh minute. India had many chances in the second half, but Syria put the dagger in the 77th minute courtesy Daleho Irandust. And to rub salt on the wounds, a third in the 96th minute by Pablo Sabbag.

A clinical performance by Syria tonight. They beat Mauritius 2-0, and they have demolished India 3-0. Despite India's best efforts in the second half, Syria were devastating on the counter-attack and made India pay for their lapses.

FT: IND 0-3 SYR

Syria come down the left, squares it into the box and it is tapped home by Pablo Sabba. Miserable outcome for India. India finishes last in the Intercontinental Cup 2024.

80+6' IND 0-3 SYR

How did that not go in? Liston Colaco tries a shot miles out, takes the Syrian goalkeeper completely by surprise. The ball ricochets off the crossbar.

90+4' IND 0-2 SYR

A fabulous run by Syria's Mustafa Abdullatif down the right wing, as he dances past two or three Indian bodies. Tries to lay it off for a teammate, but a sliding challenge by Asish Rai denies Syria.

90+1' IND 0-2 SYR

For a lot of the second half, India have had Syria on the back foot. But it has been the clinical nature of Syria that has made the difference tonight.

89' IND 0-2 SYR

Edmund Lalrindika, the only I-League player in the India squad, drives forward and takes a venomous shot, but it goes narrowly over the bar. Great intent from the young forward.

Moments later, Chhangte hits on the volley and cracks the crossbar!

88' IND 0-2 SYR

Patient build-up for India ends with an erratic shot by Asish Rai on his weaker left foot from long range. Goes well over the bar.

84' IND 0-2 SYR

Oh dear! Just as India were coming into the game, dominating the second half, Syria strike the second goal against the run of play. Surely that's the hammer blow. Midfielder Daleho Irandust scores.

77' IND 0-2 SYR

Mahesh drives to the byline, gets the cross in, Nandha cannot connect well, and neither can Chhangte reach to the end of the scuffed shot. Still 0-1 down, but India have been the better side in the second half.

68' IND 0-1 SYR

Lallianzuala Chhangte has switched flanks in the second half. Now operating on the left flank, the left-footed winger is being more direct, and getting into more shooting positions.

66' IND 0-1 SYR

Sahal Abdul Samad has been taken off. Naorem Mahesh Singh, the winger who has taken over the No. 11 shirt after Sunil Chhetri, comes on.

64' IND 0-1 SYR

He did not have the best of games vs Mauritius, but what an impact so far from Asish Rai! Subbed in, he's been involved positively in both defence and offence. 

62' IND 0-1 SYR

India are getting closer and closer! Asish Rai whips in a brilliant cross, Manvir goes for it, and then Chhangte's shot from the loose ball has to be denied by a sliding block. 

60' IND 0-1 SYR

Asish Rai wins it back, Sahal drives forward the length of the pitch, finds Chhangte on the left who gets a shot away, but is denied by a diving save. Much better from India!

55' IND 0-1 SYR

Two early corners for India at the start of the second half. The first one was cleared away, the second is played short before being curled in to the box. But Syria defend.

49' IND 0-1 SYR

And the second half between India and Syria is underway. A goal is needed!

46' IND 0-1 SYR

Manolo Marquez reacts. Two changes as India chase an equaliser.

Apuia replaces Suresh Wangjam in central midfield, and Asish Rai is on for Nikhil Poojary at right-back. Injection of pace.

It will be interesting to see whether Manolo Marquez responds with immediate substitutions. In the game against Mauritius, he made two changes at the start of the second half.

HT: IND 0-1 SYR

With Syria winning against Mauritius, but India only drawing, this match is a must-win for India if they hope to lift the Intercontinental Cup 2024. So far, it seems like Syria are powering their way through to the trophy.

India have been more composed and cohesive tonight than at any point against Mauritius. However, up against a better team, they've been cut open a few times, one of which led to the only goal of the game.

But with only a one goal deficit, India will still retain hope.

HT: IND 0-1 SYR

A teasing set piece sent in by Lallianzuala Chhangte towards the far post, but the final effort once again goes wide of the Syrian goal. And that signals HALF-TIME.

HT: IND 0-1 SYR

Sahal drives a low shot at goal, but the goalkeeper makes a superb save. A multitude of chances follow, specially for Chhangte and Poojary at the edge of the box, but Syria scramble to defend. Two minutes of stoppage time.

45+1' IND 0-1 SYR

Five more minutes to go in the first half. Can India find a dramatic equaliser?

41' IND 0-1 SYR

Manvir wins a header, lays it on for Nandha who takes a venomous shot at goal, BUT Manvir was offside! Still, positive signs for the men in blue.

38' IND 0-1 SYR

A big weapon being used by India to transition has been long throws by Gurpreet. He is clearing the halfway line with ease using his throws, and that is proving to be a method more and more.

37' IND 0-1 SYR

A corner into the danger zone has to be saved first by Gurpreet, who has to go low. The ball is cleared with much difficulty. Nervous moments for the Indian defence.

35' IND 0-1 SYR

The big threat lies in the fact that Syria have the quality to break the Indian defence at any moment, even against the run of play. Particularly down the wings, Syria are devastating with their pace and passing.

34' IND 0-1 SYR

Sahal puts the ball in towards the box from the set piece, but it is well defended by Syria. Slowly, but surely, India are growing into the game.

33' IND 0-1 SYR

Nandha finds some space and curls in a cross from the left wing. Manvir leaps to reach it but the goalkeeper collects. Couple of moments later, another cross from the left, this time by Subhasish. Chhangte rises but sees his header go over.

26' IND 0-1 SYR

Mahmoud Al-Aswad is enjoying himself. Dances past Anwar Ali, who is left sliding on the floor. Drives to the byline to cut it back, but the shot from the edge of the area is blocked and cleared out of danger.

24' IND 0-1 SYR

Relief for India! Syria cut open the Indian press and bypass the defence with ease. Striker Alaa Al Dali is sent through on goal, but misses his 1v1 against Gurpreet, his finish going wide.

21' IND 0-1 SYR

Nearly 20 minutes into the contest, but the pressure from the Indian forwards has been pretty resilient. However, Syria are doing an excellent job of containing it.

20' IND 0-1 SYR

India look a lot more comfortable on the ball today, despite conceding the early goal. The addition of Anwar Ali at the back and Suresh Wangjam in midfield seems to have made a big difference in that regard.

18' IND 0-1 SYR

Syria are putting together some nice combination moves, and the latest comes through the left flank. They cut inside and attempt a shot which is high and wide, though.

16' IND 0-1 SYR

Manvir looks to send Nandha through with a chipped over the top ball, and Nandha did well to be onside. However, he is outmuscled by the Syrian defender.

13' IND 0-1 SYR

Syria are commanding the early minutes of the game. They get another shot away, that goes just beyond the goal.

10' IND 0-1 SYR

That's a horrendous start for India. They have conceded in just the 7th minute. A brilliant attack down the right wing, and a deflected shot enters the back of the net. It's Mahmoud Al-Aswad with the opener.

7' IND 0-1 SYR

Syrian midfielder Thaer Krouma plies his trade in India, for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League. The likes of Lallianzuala Chhangte will be familiar with him.

5' IND 0-0 SYR

The match begins between India and Syria, in the Intercontinental Cup 2024. India are attacking from left to right. 

1' IND 0-0 SYR

The players are out on the field, and it's time for the national anthems. First Syria, and then India.

We are just five minutes away from the start of the Intercontinental Cup 2024 game between India and Syria. Can India win for the first time under new head coach Manolo Marquez?

India have not won a game against Syria since 22 August 2012. Since then, India have played Syria twice:

16 July 2019: 1-1 draw, Intercontinental Cup

23 Jan 2024: 1-0 loss, AFC Asian Cup

Central midfielder Anirudh Thapa being dropped is arguably the biggest shock in the seven changes made by coach Manolo Marquez.

The Mohun Bagan star was subbed off at half-time vs Mauritius.

A solid defensive game is probably the approach that India will take heading into a tie against a side ranked 31 spots above them in the FIFA rankings. 

If previous games are anything to go by, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has a big night ahead of him.

We are 20 minutes away from the start of this crucial India vs Syria encounter. Remember, India must win today to win the Intercontinental Cup 2024.

Here are the seven changes that Manolo Marquez has made:

GK: Amrinder out, Gurpreet in

RB: Asish Rai out, Nikhil Poojary in

CB: Sana Singh out, Anwar Ali in

LB: Jay Gupta out, Subhasish Bose in

CM: Apuia out, Suresh in

AM: Thapa out, Sahal in

LW: Liston out, Nandha in

Perhaps more than a victory, fans would want a better performance today. India were often dominated by Mauritius in the previous game. 

"It's difficult to play worse than this," was what Manolo Marquez said after India's 0-0 draw against Mauritius. Ahead of the Syria game, Manolo has asked fans to be 'realistic' with their expectations from the team.

India drew against FIFA rank 179 Mauritius in the first game. So this will be a really tough test for India, up against FIFA rank 93 Syria.

India found it hard to find a focal point of attack against Mauritius, but Manvir Singh has kept his place in the XI. He starts as the central striker once again.

Not only is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu back, but so is centre-back Anwar Ali. Arguably the best central defender in India at the moment, Anwar makes his first appearance following his controversial move from Mohun Bagan to East Bengal.

Here is India's starting lineup vs Syria:

Just in: Team News for #INDSYR!
& Watch LIVE action on @sports18 and @JioCinema #Intercontinentalcup #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/QUqZ8Mwh7Q

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 9, 2024

Head coach Manolo Marquez has made seven changes from his starting XI against Mauritius. One big change: captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is back in goal!

With Syria having won their first match against Mauritius, and India drawing their opening game, India must win tonight to win the Intercontinental Cup 2024.

Good evening everyone to the live coverage of the India vs Syria Intercontinental Cup 2024 game, at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad. It's just the second game for new head coach Manolo Marquez, but already, it's crunch time!