Sunil Chhetri’s swansong Asian Cup campaign echoed with the agonizing thud of silence. India’s wait for a maiden knockout stage berth stretched longer as they bowed out of the continental tournament with a 0-1 defeat to Syria in their final group game on Tuesday.
Omar Khribin’s strike in the 76th minute carved a dagger into the hearts of Indian fans, sending Syria hurtling towards a potential round-of-16 berth. For India, it was the bitter pill of another group stage exit, adding to their winless, goalless woes in the 2023 edition.
Chhetri, the talismanic captain playing his final Asian Cup, witnessed his illustrious career in the tournament fade against the backdrop of Syria’s triumph. Having scored four goals across previous editions, his presence couldn’t conjure the elusive breakthrough on this night.
India started with purpose, Mahesh Naorem and Lallianzuala Chhangte weaving threatening runs, but lacked the final touch. As the minutes ticked by, Syria tightened their grip, bombarding the Indian defense with a flurry of chances. Pablo Sabbag’s header, Ibrahim Hesar’s shot, and Ezequiel Ham’s effort – all denied by a valiant Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and a resolute Subhasish Bose.
Chhetri, amidst his subdued tournament performance, attempted a long-range effort in the dying seconds of the first half, but it soared wide. The statistics spoke volumes – three Indian shots versus a Syrian onslaught of nearly a dozen.
The second half saw Sandesh Jhingan limp off with an injury, replaced by Nikhil Poojary. With Mahesh Naorem also substituted for Udanta Singh, the game remained locked in a tense stalemate. Igor Stimac brought in Sahal Abdul Samad, finally recovered from injury, but even his fresh legs couldn’t spark the magic India desperately craved.
Syria, desperate for a win to cling to their knockout hopes, pressed relentlessly. Omar Khribin missed a golden opportunity with a free header, but his moment arrived soon after. Ibrahim Hesar’s cross found Khribin unmarked, and the substitute coolly slotted the ball past Gurpreet’s outstretched arm.
Indian desperation intensified, throwing men forward for a last-gasp equalizer. Yet, fate remained unmoved. The final whistle blew, echoing the sighs of a thousand disappointed fans and sealing India’s fate – another Asian Cup campaign, another early exit, another burden of unfulfilled promise.
Chhetri’s farewell might have been bittersweet, tinged with the regret of a goalless tournament and another missed opportunity for India. But the quest for that elusive knockout berth lives on, waiting for the day when the Blue Tigers break the chains of history and roar into the Asian Cup’s spotlight.
