AFC Asia Cup 2023: Indian football team knocked out after losing to Syria

The Indian football team was knocked out of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Syria in their final Group B game at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar on Tuesday. Sunil Chhetri-led India needed a win to stay alive in the tournament and finish third in the group, but Omar Khribin’s 76th minute goal broke a billion hearts as Syria clinched their first win at the 2023 edition. India finished the 2023 Asian Cup without a point, as they suffered three successive defeats to finish last in the group. The Blue Tigers had come last in the 2019 edition as well but after earning a win and three points. In Qatar, world No. 102 India began with a 2-0 defeat to 25th Australia before suffering a 3-0 loss to world No. 68 Uzbekistan. Against 91st Syria, India had eight shots, only one of them on target and 47% ball possession but an error-prone Blue Tigers failed to convert the chances as Qasioun Eagles earned a memorable win.