Syria open with 2-0 win over Bangladesh

AFP - 18 August 2007 18:59

Syrian striker Zyad Chaabo is seen in action during a June 2007 match. Favourites Syria defeated Bangladesh 2-0 to make a confident start in the five-nation Nehru Cup football tournament at the Ambedkar stadium here on Saturday.

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Favourites Syria defeated Bangladesh 2-0 to make a confident start in the five-nation Nehru Cup football tournament at the Ambedkar stadium here on Saturday.

Both goals came in the second half, the first through captain Maher Al Sayed, who scored two minutes after the break, and the second from bustling striker Zyad Chaabo, who found the net in the 79th minute.

Syria, the highest ranked team in the tournament at 113, are without seven key players who are involved in the national league back home preparing for the Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh, ranked 172, delighted their Indian coach Syed Naeemuddin by keeping the Syrians at bay in the first half, but let slip the chance to share points.

Hosts India had whipped Cambodia 6-0 in Friday's opening match.

Kyrgyzstan are the fifth team in the round-robin league, with the top two advancing to the final on August 29.

In Sunday's match, Kyrgyzstan meet Cambodia.