India stun Syria to retain Nehru Cup

Subrata Paul's awesome goalkeeping helped India overpower Syria 6-5 in a shootout and retain the Nehru Cup in a sensational match played out in front of an overflowing Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.

Paul in an amazing display of reflexes and anticipation saved three spot kicks in the tie-breaker after the two teams failed to score in regulation time and scored once each in the dying minutes of extra time.

Man-of-the-Match Paul, who had an outstanding tournament, blocked shots from Wael Ayan, Ahmad Haj Muhmad and Hamzeh Alattouni.

Paul fisted out the decisive attempt by Alattouni to spark a riotous invasion by a frenzied crowd.

Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chettri, Steven Dias, Anwar and Surkumar Singh were on target for India in the tie-breaker while Raja Rafe, goalkeeper Mosab Balhous, Abdul Fatah Alaga and Abdal Razzak Al Hossian scored for Syria.

Image: Indian team celebrate their win.

Text: IANS | Images: PTI and AP