New Delhi: Title favourites Syria lived up to their top billing as they registered a convincing 2-0 win over Bangladesh on the second day of the ONGC Nehru Cup International Football Tournament in New Delhi on Saturday.
The first half of the match ended in a lacklustre barren draw but after the breather the Syrians came out in full bloom and scored twice under lights at the Ambedkar Stadium.
It was Syrian captain Meher Al Sayed who drew the first blood in the 48th minute and Zyad Chaabo added to that in the 79th minute. Al Sayed was also adjudged as the Man of the Match.
Bangladesh were the more impressive team in the first half as they made some moves into the Syrian defence but failed to score even once.
But they were lucky in the second half to concede only two goals - otherwise they would have suffered the same fate as Cambodia did at the hands of India in the opening match.
Bangladesh coach Syed Nayeemuddin didn't seem disappointed with the result and said: "This is the first game... we didn't get any practice match before and I am satisfied with this result as Syria is a strong team."
It was Syria that had the first try at the goal when Mootassem Alaya's 30-yard shot went above the bar in the 14th minute.
Eight minutes later it was Bangladesh's turn but Mohammed Zahid Hossain's shot also suffered the same fate.
Undeterred by the failure, Bangladesh kept on making regular moves but the Syrian defenders were smart enough to thwart all.
It was also Nayeem's first international assignment with the Bangladesh team after being he was appointed as national coach last month.
For Nayeem, under whose guidance India won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in 2005, this tournament is of prime importance.
India won that tournament but in the following days Nayeem was removed unceremoniously after the players objected to his "dictatorial" attitude. Nayeem will seek to prove his point with this tournament.
In the first half Nayeem's boys proved that they are no flash in the pan, but in the second half they disappointed as the Syrians pumped up their attack and showed their class.
The Syrians also increased the speed of their attack after the change of sides and Al Sayed broke the deadlock in the 48th minute. He got a clinical pass and chipped it into the top corner of the Bangladesh net, which foxed goalie Biplab Bhattacharjee.
The lead was doubled in the 79th minute, when Chaabo dribbled past a Bangladesh defender and again fooled Bhattacharjee. Ali Dayeb fed Chaabo with a neat pass in the box and it was a child's play for the latter to get past the Bangladesh goalie.
It was a good start for tournament favourites Syria as they gear up for a tough battle ahead.
"We rested senior players in the first half due to weather conditions as it was very tough. In the second half I fielded them and I am happy with the result," said Syrian coach Fajer Ibrahim, who was part of the Syrian team that participated in the Nehru Cup way back in 1987.
For Bangladesh, it seems to be a tough task ahead as they will face hosts India Monday.
"After 6-0 win over Cambodia, India is no doubt a strong candidate. But we will be alert against them," said Nayeem.
Teams:
Bangladesh: Biplab Bhattacharjee (goalkeeper), Mohammed Ariful Islam, Rajani Kanta Barman, Mohammed Waly Faisal, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Mohammed Zahid Hossain, Mohammed Abdul Hussain (Mehdi Hassan, 80), Arman Aziz, Firoj Mahmud Hossain (Zahid Choudhury, 69), Mohammed Jahid Hasan Ameli, Mohammed Robin (Mohammed Alfaz Ahmed, 52).
Syria: Mowssab Blahowss (goalkeeper), Maher Al Sayed, Zyad Chaabo, Feras Esmaeel, Ali Dyeb, Wael Ayan, Zeen Alabeden Al Fandi, Mohammed Alzeno (Mahmoud Al Amena, 86), Khaled Mansoor Albaba, Motassem Alaya, Atif Jenyat.
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