Syria vs India 1-0: AFC Asian Cup 2023 football – as it happened

It was a frantic evening in Group B, with Syria winning to give themselves a good chance of securing a place in the last 16.

That’s not the end of today’s Asian Cup action, with two games on the way in just under an hour.

Iran will face the United Arab Emirates, while Hong Kong will take on Palestine.

We’ll be covering the latter live and you can join Kevin here for all of the action from that one.

For now, from me, goodbye.

Victory today has left Syria on four points after their three group games.

The four best third-placed teams will qualify for the knockout stages in Qatar.

Only two groups have concluded their games so far, with China finishing third in Group A on just two points.

Bahrain, Indonesia, Oman and Palestine all sit third in their respective groups, but have a game still to play.

It means a nervous wait for Syria to discover if they have reached the last 16.

Half-time substitute Omar Khrbin was the difference today, as the Al-Wahda forward scored the goal that could see Syria reach the Asian Cup last 16 for the first time.

The 30-year-old looked lively throughout the second half and showed great composure to slot the ball home on 76 minutes.

Khrbin now has 22 goals in 58 appearances for Syria and will remain a threat if the Eagles of Qasioun remain in this tournament.

⚽️ GOAL | 🇸🇾 SYRIA 1️⃣-0️⃣ INDIA 🇮🇳

Cometh the moment, cometh the man.

2017 AFC Player of the Year, Omar Khrbin breaks the deadlock ☄️

Watch Live 📺 https://t.co/nJZ0pcVqz1#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #SYRvIND pic.twitter.com/YlMXIfepG3

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2024

Who else but Omar Khrbin 😍😍

— Erfan / عرفان (@Eri1806) January 23, 2024

Igor Stimac will likely face some tough questions as India crash out with no points and no goals.

The effort and intensity wasn’t lacking today, but they lacked any real quality to break Syria down.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu impressed in goal, ensuring that the scoreline remained at only 1-0.

🇮🇳 India's worst ever Asian Cup campaign comes to an end.

For the second time ever, our team failed to score even a single goal in an edition. Last one came in 1984.

Even 2011 was better. Atleast we scored and it was a 16 team tournament.#BlueTigersInAsia | #AsianCup2023

— Ali Mehdi (@MehdiTalksBall) January 23, 2024

⏰ FT | 🇸🇾 Syria 1️⃣-0️⃣ India 🇮🇳

The Qasioun Eagles throw themselves a lifeline in an attempt to progress to their first-ever Round of 16 with a slim win against India courtesy of Omar Khrbin’s sublime goal! ⚡

#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #SYRvIND pic.twitter.com/vNQPztUr4e

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2024

It’s also full-time in Australia’s clash with Uzbekistan.

That game has finished 1-1, meaning the Socceroos finish top of Group B on 7 points.

Uzbekistan are second on five points and will join Australia in the last 16.

Syria are currently the best ranked third-place team with four points and now face a nervy wait to see if they have secured qualification.

India prop up the group, unable to secure a point or score a goal.

FT | We top 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐁 with a draw at Al Janoub Stadium 🔝🪜#AUSvUZB #Socceroos #AsianCup2023#DifferentBreed pic.twitter.com/nH4vYHyfhE

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 23, 2024

That’s it!

The whistle is blown and Syria have pulled off a huge victory.

Progress to the last 16 is not guaranteed, but they look in a strong position in third place on four points.

Khrbin is being hoisted into the air by his teammates!

Full-time: Syria 1-0 India

A ball is floated into the Syrian box from the left, but Madanieh shows great composure to claim it while almost on his own line.

India come back again, with Chhangte whipping in a cross from the right. Madaneih punches it to safety.

These are nervy moments for Syria.

90+7 mins: Syria 1-0 India

The Syrian fans are starting to party in the stands.

Their players are seeing out this match nicely. As it stands they are on course to be one of the four best third placed teams.

A reminder, it remains 1-1 between Australia and Uzbekistan. They are set to finish as the top two in Group B.

90+5 mins: Syria 1-0 India

India are throwing men forward, leaving plenty of space for Syria to counter.

One such attack finds Khrbin in the box. He heads the ball into the path of two of his teammates, but they are just unable to apply a finish.

India are still battling away, but they are almost down and out.

90+2 mins: Syria 1-0 India

India are seeing plenty of the ball, but they are struggling to find a way past the Syrian defence.

They’ve lacked quality at the top of the pitch today and are on the verge of heading out of this tournament without scoring a goal.

Udanta Singh is doing all he can to change that and wins a free kick in the Syrian half, but the set piece comes to nothing with the ball bouncing off Rahul’s head to go behind for a goal kick.

89 mins: Syria 1-0 India

Syria make a change of their own, with Mahmoud Al Aswad making way for Mohammad Anez.

The Eagles of Qasioun know that four points will put them in a strong position to sneak through as one of the best third-place finishers, but they need to ensure that they see this game out.

India need goals, but that is looking increasingly unlikely.

85 mins: Syria 1-0 India

Turgunboev scores in the 79th minute to make it 1-1 in Group B’s other game.

As this stand, Australia top the group with seven points, Uzbekistan are second with five points, Syria are third with four points, and India are bottom with zero.

The Indian defenders looked devastated after that goal went in.

The Blue Tigers just more than 10 minutes to try and pull off something very special.

Igor Stimac makes another change with Anirudh Thapa coming on for Lalengmawia Ralte.

81 mins: Syria 1-0 India

Super-sub Khrbin gives Syria the lead!

It’s his 22nd goal for his country and how significant a goal it could be.

A nice move finds Hesar on the left. He feeds the ball to Khrbin in the penalty area, who twists and turns away from Bheke before firing a shot under the outstretched hand of Sandhu.

The goal sparks huge celebrations for Syria and Khrbin is booked for removing his shirt.

76 mins: Syria 1-0 India

Ramadan receives the ball on the left side of the Indian penalty area, and he fires a shot into the side netting after being closed down by Poojary.

That’s the Syrian player’s final act of the game because he is subbed off for Alaa Al Dali.

While that change is made, Sandhu is down in his own penalty area. After a short break, he returns to his feet to take a goal kick.

73 mins: Syria 0-0 India

Ramadan receives the ball on the left side of the Indian penalty area and he fires a shot into the side netting after being closed down by Poojary.

That’s the Syrian player’s final act of the game, as he is subbed off for Alaa Al Dali.

While that change is made, Sandhu is down in his own penalty area. After a short break, he returns to his feet to take a goal kick.

70 mins: Syria 0-0 India

Off: Manvir Singh, Deepak Tangri

On: Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh

66 mins: Syria 0-0 India

A huge chance for Syria.

A mistake from Mishra allows Hesar the chance to cross to Khrbin at the back post.

The Syrian forward has a free header, but puts his effort high and wide.

A big let-off for India.

63 mins: Syria 0-0 India