Al Khor, January 23

India crashed out of the Asian Cup after losing their final group match here today. Syria beat India 1-0 after Omar Khribin — the 2017 Asian Footballer of the Year — netted in the 76th minute to give the Middle Eastern side their first goal of the tournament.

India exit the competition without scoring a goal in three losses. They had lost to Australia (0-2) and Uzbekistan (0-3) in their previous group matches.

The match was certainly the final Asian Cup appearance for Sunil Chhetri, who had also played in the 2011 and 2019 editions. The 39-year-old’s four goals — two each in 2011 and 2019 — in nine appearances make him the highest scorer from India in the continental showpiece.

Uzbekistan joined Australia in the last-16 after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in their final group game, while Syria also qualified for the knockouts for the first time.

Australia had already qualified for the knockout stage and guaranteed a top-two finish, with the result moving the 2015 champions to seven points while Uzbekistan finished second with five points. Syria finished with four points and the AFC later clarified that they are also through to the last-16 as one of the four best third-placed teams across all groups “regardless of final results from other groups”. — Agencies