Syria beat India to enter Nehru Cup final

AFP - 23 August 2007 19:44

Syrian footballer Feras Esmaeel(R) is challenged by Indian Steven Dias during their match in the ONGC Nehru Cup in New Delhi. Syria won 3-2.

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Syria entered the final of the five-nation Nehru Cup football tournament with a hard-fought 3-2 win over hosts India at the Ambedkar stadium here on Thursday.

Sunil Chetri put India ahead in the 13th minute, but Khaled Mansoor drew level for the Syrians 10 minutes later.

Star striker Zyed Chaabo almost sealed the match in Syria's favour when he scored twice just before and after the interval to give his side a 3-1 lead.

India, backed by loud support from 5,000 home fans, fought back to narrow the margin through Krishnan Nair in the 81st minute, but failed to get the equaliser in the final minutes.

Syria ensured their place in the final with their third straight win in the round-robin league and a game in hand against winless Cambodia on Saturday.

India, with two wins from three matches, could face a virtual semi-final against Kyrgystan on Sunday if the Central Asian nation secures its second victory by defeating Bangladesh on Friday.

The final will be played on August 29.