The Syrian national team achieved a historic victory over India with a score of (1-0) today, Tuesday, at Al Bayt Stadium, in the final round of the group stage of the Asian Cup held in Qatar. The only goal of the match for Syria came in the 76th minute by striker Omar Kharbin. Australia now leads Group B with 7 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 5 points, Syria with 4 points, and India at the bottom without any points.
This victory allowed the Syrian team to reach the Round of 16 for the first time in its history in the Asian Cup after 7 participations, qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
The match began cautiously from both sides until Syria earned a corner from the right side, which Pablo Sabagh headed but was saved by the goalkeeper. The ball rebounded and was crossed again, met by Aiham Ousso, whose header went over the crossbar. In the 14th minute, a surprise shot from Isaac Al-Am, the Syrian midfielder, went just beside the post. In the 19th minute, Syrian forward Ibrahim Hesar surprised the Indian goalkeeper with a powerful shot from outside the area, which was saved, and then Al-Am attempted to shoot towards the goal but the Indian defender deflected it for a corner.
Syrian players appealed to the referee for a penalty after Ammar Ramadan fell inside the box, but play continued, and the referee awarded a corner. In the 39th minute, Ammar Ramadan fired a strong shot from outside the area, which was brilliantly saved by the Indian goalkeeper. Before the end of the first half, with a score of 0-0, Syrian goalkeeper Ahmed Madani saved his team from a certain goal after an attack from the right side that resulted in a shot deflected for a corner.
The second half started strongly for Syria with the entry of captain Omar Kharbin in place of Pablo Sabagh. Ibrahim Hesar delivered a precise cross to the far corner, which was an easy header for Kharbin, but he missed it oddly. Then Ammar Ramadan missed a scoring opportunity in the 68th minute with a run from the left side, where Hesar was in a better position for a decisive pass, but Ramadan chose to shoot beside the post.
In the 76th minute, Omar Kharbin scored the leading goal for the Qasioun Eagles with a wonderful play between him and Ibrahim Hesar. The Syrian team successfully maintained their lead until the final whistle, clinching their first win in this edition and qualifying for the Round of 16 for the first time in its history.
