India's Football Team Faces 3-0 Loss Against Syria, Conclude Intercontinental Cup 2024 in Last Place

Manolo Marquez's debut as India head coach did not go as planned, as the team finished their round-robin league with a disappointing result. Taking over from Igor Stimac in July, Marquez faced a tough challenge as Syria defeated Mauritius 2-0 in their opening match, leaving India and Mauritius with only one point each after a goalless draw on September 3. Despite this setback, Marquez remains optimistic about the team's future performances.

The highest-ranked team after the round-robin league wins the tournament and there is no final.

India had won the title in 2018 and 2023, while it was the first trophy for Syria who had finished third in 2019.

In fact, this was the first time Syria won a title on Indian soil. The West Asian country has a long history of playing tournaments in India, but a title has eluded them before Monday.

Syria lost back-to-back Nehru Cup finals to India in 2007 and 2009 before finishing fourth in 2012.

In their last trip to India in the 2019 Intercontinental Cup, Syria ended in third place. In that tournament, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.

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In the last meeting between the two teams, Syria had beaten India 1-0 in the Asian Cup in Qatar in January.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)