Nehru Cup: Syria enter finals as Lebanon crash out

New Delhi: Lebanon became the second team to crash out of the Nehru Cup after Kyrgyzstan as they lost to their fellow West Asian nation this evening at the Ambedkar Stadium.Lebanon could garner only four points in as many matches as they suffered two defeats. Syria have confirmed their spot in the finals they are comfortably placed with nine points from three wins.

The Syrians named an unchanged line-up while Lebanon introduced three changes in Elias Freige, Akram Moghrabi and Amer Khan. It was a game which the Lebanese needed to win to stay in contention for a place in the finals and showed their attacking intent from the start. The first chance came in the sixth minute as Ali Yaakoub’s long range effort almost kissed the side-post before going out. With two wins in their bag, Syrians looked far more comfortable and never really took the game as they always did in their earlier matches. Mohamed Korhani, back in the left back position, saw his 30 yarder being blocked by the Syrian goalkeeper Moussah. The Syrian skipper had to come out on two occasions to keep the Al Ahli threat away after the latter was almost through as the Lebanese kept defending high up the field. It was the Syrians who found the breakthrough as Haj Mohammed’s diagonal ball was headed by Abdul Fatah towards the far post where Mohamed Al Zeno slotted it past the Lebanese custodian with ease. The movement of Al Zeno to get behind the Lebanese back-line was commendable. Al Alshbli’s fine cross from the right was punched nervously by Elias Freige and Bilal had to clear the rebound for a corner as Lebanese defender Feras was lurking inside the area. Bureau Report