Venue : Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi
19th - 31st August


Participating   Nations :   : India   Kyrgyzstan   Lebanon   Sri Lanka   Syria

Match Report


INDIA RETAINS THE TITLE OF NEHRU CUP

31.08.2009 ::Defending champion India beat Syria by 5-4 via sudden death in a thrilling final match to win the ONGC Nehru Cup football tournament for 2nd Times held at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Monday.In the year 2007, the last edition of Nehru Cup India also beat Syria in the Final by N.P.Pradeep's before halftime Goal to win Nehru Cup fro First Time.

The win came after a nail-biting finish as no goals could be scored in the scheduled time, and had to be decided on penalty shoots, where India missed just two shots, while Syria missed three of the seven shots.

Goalkeeper Subroto Paul was awarded the man of the match who had an outstanding tournament, blocked shots from Wael Ayan, Ahmad Haj Muhmad and Hamzeh Alattouni in penalty shoot out. Subrata fisted out the decisive attempt by Alattouni to spark a riotous invasion by a frenzy crowd.

The tournament had been quite difficult for the home team, as they had won two and lost two league matches, including one against Syria. On the other hand Syria, with a strong defence, had won all their league matches.

India was leading in the 24th minutes of extra time when Renedy Singh scored.Through a nice low free-kick from 35 yards but Ali Dyab came up with a stupendous header to sink Indian hopes of a clear-cut victory a minute from the final whistle of extra time and the match went to the Tie breaker.

Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chhetri, Steven Dias, Anwar Ali and Surkumar Singh scored in the shootout for India but Renedy Singh and Meharajuddin Wadoo had missed the target. while Hamzeh Al Attouni, Wael Ayan and Ahmad Haj Muhammad were saved by Paul for Syria and Raja Rafe, Mosab Balhous, Abdul Fatah Alaga and Abdul Razak Al Hussain scored in the shootout for Syria.

The victory gave India coach Bob Houghton a hat-trick of titles, having earlier guided the team to the last Nehru Cup crown in 2007 and AFC Cup Challenge in 2008.India Captain Baichung Bhutia has been selected MAn of the Tournament.

AIFF acting President as well union Minister Paraful Patel announced that Captain Baichung Bhutia And Subrata Paul will received Rs 5 Lac each from him and Entire Team will be given Rs 2 lac each from AIFF.Film star Salman Khan has been selected as Brand Ambassador of AIFF.

INDIA :Subrata Paul ,Gourmangi Singh ,Mahesh Gawli ,Surkumar Singh , Anwar Ali,Anthony Pereira (Rennedy Singh 100'),Steven Dias ,Climex Lawrance, N.P.Pradeep (Mehrajuddin 116'),Sunil Chhetri, Baichung Bhutia.

ON LINE UPDATES

31 Aug (Final) : India   1 - 1,5 - 4(Pen)   Syria
IND: Renedy Singh 114' :: Syr: Ali Diab 119'
M.O.M : Subrta Paul (GK India)
Man of The Tournament : Baichung Bhutia ( Captain India)
Baichung And Subrata Paul will received Rs 5 Lac from AIFF President Praful Patel and Entire Team will be given Rs 2 lac each from AIFF.Film star Salman Khan has been selected as Brand Ambassador of AIFF.
India Win 5 - 4 in Sudden Death :: 6 - 5 Aggregate
Sudden Death:2nd shot : no 5 for Syria :: Saved: 5 - 4
Sudden Death:2nd shot : surkumar for India :: Goal:5 - 4
Sudden Death:1st shot : no 7 for Syria :: Goal : 4 - 4
Sudden Death:1st shot : Anwar for India :: Goal : 4 - 3
TIE-BREAKER:5th shot : no 18 for Syria :: Goal : 3 - 3
TIE-BREAKER:5th shot : Mehraj for India :: saved : 3 - 2
TIE-BREAKER:4th shot : no 1 for syria :: Goal : 3 - 2
TIE-BREAKER:4th shot : Steven for India :: Goal : 3 - 1
TIE-BREAKER:3rd shot : no 31 Syria :: saved : 2 - 1
TIE-BREAKER:3rd shot : Sunil for India :: Goal : 2 - 1
TIE-BREAKER:2nd shot : no 14 Syria :: saved : 1 - 1
TIE-BREAKER:2nd shot : Renedy for India :: post : 1 - 1
TIE-BREAKER:1st shot : no 24 Syria :: Goal : 1 - 1
TIE-BREAKER:1st shot : Climex for India :: Goal : 1 - 0

122': Match ended ..India 1 - 1 Syria.. no 3 scored a nice goal by a header. now it's time for Tie breaker to decide the winner.

121': Mahesh Gawli cleared a ball by header.. counter attack by Syria from right side.. Goalllll by no 3.Last Minute goal
119': Few seconds to end.. Syria got a free kick.. well cleared by Indian defense..no damage done..
117': Few minutes to end.. Syria is trying to equalise the score..
116': India is leading 1 - 0 through Renedy Sing.. Player change by Indian side.. N.P.Pradeep out and Mehrajudding In.
112':Free kick for India..Goall....Renedy Sing scored for India.. India is leading 1 - 0..
109':Renedy passed to Sunil in the box.. but sunil was not in the position to received the ball..
106': Syrian no 3 fouled sunil.. free kick for India.. Renedy was taken the shot..lifted the ball into the box.. cleared by syrian defense..Anwar Ali was injured.. now fit.. 105': Referee shown yellow card to no 5 of Syria for a foul.. End of Extra Time's first Half.
102': Danger.. Indian Box.. It could be a goal.. no 7 of syria good cross.. no 18 missed to touch the ball in front of Subrata..
100': Change in India side.. Renedy Singh came in place of Anthony pereira..
98': India is attacking now from the rioght side.. steven dias was trying to enter in the box..Cleared by syrian defense.. counter attack.. no 24 shoot.. just missed the target..
95': Steven dias well blocked a good attack of Syria from the left side.. corner.. corner taken by syria..ball went to Subrata's hand directly..
93': Extra time started..
90'+2': the end of scheduled time..no score.. now extra time of playing to be started within few minutes.
90': Referee added 2 minutes more.. no goal yet.. The result is still goalless.I is going to be for extra time?
89':Again the Syrian Coach was qrguing with the linesman and 4th referee for an offside decision.
87':Syrians are playing four or five small pass among themselves before entering in the Indian Box.. an another attack from right.. went out ..no damage done.
85': Good ball for Syria.. but missed by no 24..Subrata was an another side.. if he could touch the ball.It might be a goal.. 82': Player changed by Syria.. No 31 entered in the field..no 14 went out for Syria...India got a corner.. steven took.. Defense of Syria cleared the ball.
78':More an more attack by syrian strikers in india defense..counter attack by india just now..sunill missed a chance to score off a pradeep cross from right side..
75':Syria got a corner..No 27 lift the ball.. a Syrian player's left footer well saved by Subrata.. another corner for Syria..
73':Free kick for India.. Syrian Player fouled Sunil in an air ball..Pradeep well pass towards steven in the right side.. but too long.. throw in for Syria..
71':Antony Pereira..long ball towards sunil.. but Keeper came out and collect the ball easily
69':Syria got a corner.. Anwar Ali blocked a ball.. corner taken.. out side the goal line..Mahesh Gawli was injured.. now fit..
67':Well..Subrata save a good movement of Syria off a right sided cross.... Syria is attacking more...
65':An another attack of Syria..no 18 missed the target.. Ball went out ..Mahesh was trying to blocked ..no damage done..
62': Danger in Indian Box ..Syrian attack from the left side.... good luck India.. Ball hitted the bar post by beating Subrata pal ..off a no 18 shot of Syrian Player..
60':Sunil snatched a ball.. passed to baichung.. it's too long for baichung.. Goalkeeper cleared.
58':Mahesh stopped a good attack by Syrian striker..
56':Coner through a left sided attack of Syria.. ball cleared by Indian defense..
53': Syria got a free kick just out side the Indian penalty Box..Free kick taken.. defelected by the Indian wall.. no damage done..
50':India is attacking from the right side.. corner for India.. steven is taking the corner..Ball cleared by Syrian defence
47':2nd half started...India got a free kick just out side the Box.Well shot taken by steven.. Keeper of Syria fist the ball.. no damage done..
Half Time: It's now the time for lemon break...
45': Well played by Gourmangi,Anwar.. still the score line is 0 - 0. added time is running...
39':Still the result is goalless. offside by syrian no 7.high kick by steven..counter attack by Syria.. ball went to right side.. crossed the ball from right side. Indian keeper Subrata saved..
36':Anthony pereira snatched a ball from Syrian player..entered into the box.. passed to sunil.. sunil punched..direct to the keeper.
31':Indian Film star and Football Lover Salman khan in the VIP Box.. cheering for India..Syria is attacking.. ball went to Indian keeper Subrata pal.. he cleared the ball ..
29': India got a free kick.. Steven took the shot.. now corner.. Steven took the corner.. Syrian defenders cleared the ball.
25':Referee shown Yellow card to Baichung for disturbing Syrian Keeper in the Box
23': Syrian no 27 injured and laying on the ground. match stopped for a few minutes..he is now out side the field for treatment.. match is now going on..
21': Well attack by syria from left.. no 12 crossed a ball into the box..good header..but went away just over the cross bar..
20':India is trying to play ground pass..Baichung got a ball..but he fouled a syrian player..
18':Still the match is goalless.good attack by india from right side.surkumar crossed..no one their..
13':Mahesh slightly injured..laying on the ground.. treatment is running.. now he is fit for playing again..
11': Long ball from left side to right side by Syria.No 32 cerossed the ball..but Subrata alert this time..
9':steven overlaping..crossed the ball.. sunil header..no damage done
6':Counter attack by Syria in Indian area ..No 12 got a ball.. his left footer was very weak to make any panic.
5':Anthony to Sunil.. sunil tries to enter in the syrian box..but their defense are alert..
3':Sunil got a long ball..but Syrian defenders were ready to clear the ball.
1': India wearing Blue Jersey while Syrian are Bed.Good attack by India in the first minute..Baichung's left footer saved by Syrian Keeper..

29 Aug : India   0 - 1   Syria
SYR: Ali Diab 20'
M.O.M: - Ali Diab (SYR)

28 Aug : Sri Lanka   1 - 4   Kyrgyzstan
KYR: Anton Zemlianuhin 34' Ildar Amirov 44',Mirlan 64',Rustem Usanov 70'
SRI: Maduranga Weerasinghe 52'
M.O.M: -Anton Zemlianuhin (KYR)

Syria marches into final beating Lebanon 1 - 0


27.08.2009 :: Anirban Roy ::A domineering Syrian team beat a resolute Lebanon side in their third match here in the capital. The match was expected to be a football hazel of the two middle-eastern neighbouring nations but turned to be a stalemate as a lone goal decided the fate of the match. What started as interesting build-ups by both the teams providing swift crosses and vying for mid-field possession up till most of the half hour mark, soon vanished as the tie progressed. Lebanon tried playing from the flanks, especially right, providing deep crosses for Mohmoud El Ali and Akram Moghrabi but the Syrian defense comprising of Raja Rafe, Abdul Daim and Ali Daib stood above the Lebanese strikers as they cleared their lines comfortably.

Numerous strikes on the Syrian goal by Mohamad Kohrani and Ali Yaakoub were saved by custodian Mosab Balhous. In the 23rd min a cross from the left met Abdul Fatah Alaga who flicked his header to Mohamad Alzino as he shot home to give Syrians the lead, against the run of play. After getting behind the Lebanese mid-fielders and strikers pressed hard providing good through balls through the flanks and deep crosses but somehow Syrian keeper Balhous and defenders Feras Ismail and Ali Dyab kept them at bay till the halftime whistle.

After the lemon break, the game started on an attacking note as both the teams made some neat build-ups playing attacking football as mid-field dominated the area of play. The introduction of Raja Rafe before the halftime made the Syrians stronger outside the Lebanese box as he provided good balls to strikers Al Housian and Alaga but they lacked that turbulent speed to score past Lebanese keeper Elias Freije. Lebanon had the lion’s share of possession in the second half as their moves troubled Syrian defenders and moreover keeper captain Mosab Balhous to a great extent. They had a great opportunity in the 53rd min when Ali Yaakoub gave a great ball to Hassan Maatouk as he was clearly fouled in the box by keeper Balhous as the referee hesitated to give the Lebanese a penalty.

The decision resulted in a minor scuffle and confrontation from the players towards referees Arumughan Rowan and assistant Francisco leading to the game being stopped for 3 mins as Syrian coach Fajer Ibrahim and assistant Kamil Mohd. tried to calm down the situation. After that Mohmoud El Ali was tackled roughly by Alaa Alshbli , again the referee showed no cards as he started losing control of the game. A sequence of wasted passes and misplaced shots marred the rest of the match as it came to close .

The game was far from a spectacle as it was expected between the giants of the tournament, as they refereeing decisions caught the eye once again. Goal-score r Mohamad Alzino was adjudged Man of the Match as his coach Fajer Ibrahim was elated with his team’s performance and he looked forward to the final , resting some of his regulars against their final game against India. On the other hand Lebanese coach Emile Rustom was baffled with the referee and assistant as he talked about the penalty decision and rough tackles that were completely ignored as his team crashed out of the tournament.


India swipe aside Lankan challenge, 3 - 1.




India : India : Baichung Bhutia 27' Gourmangi Singh 70',Steven Dias 84'
Sri Lanka : Don Rohana 62' :: M.O.M :Baichung (IND)
26.08.2009 :Anirban Roy,Delhi :: India facing a resolute Lankan side in a virtual do-or-die match came on top of their sub-continental neighbours in their third match in the Nehru Cup here in the capital. India started on a high as the Lankans conceded several free-kicks inside the first 10 mins and they put pressure on Lankan goalkeeper H.M.A Kumara as he had to come out of his line to clear. In the 12th min itself a Steven Dias free-kick was met by Sunil Chhetri’s header but he was ruled offside by the assistant referee. Mahesh Gawli was laid off by Chhetri in the 16th min and he missed a good opportunity as he shot way above the bar.

By now Anthony Pereira, Steven Dias & N.P Pradeep had troubled the Lankan defence by through passes, and depth crosses all the way long but keeper Kumara held his ground. In the 20th min a thrown-in by Surkumar found Steven Dias as his bullet shot from top of the box rattled the bar post as the jam packed stadium gasped. A neat build-up in the 25th min saw Surkumar finding Steven Dias with a through ball as his inch perfect cross was netted in by Bhaichung Bhutia to send the crowd into frenzy. After the goal the Lankans tried to mend their fences as they made few moves from the left but custodian Subrata Pal and central defender Gouramangi Singh cleared with ease. India got into the tunnel with a goal on the scoreboard and high hopes.

In the 50th min a corner by Surkumar Singh found Bhaichung in the box as his header hits the post while Pradeep couldn’t capitalize on the rebound. The Lankans showed some signs of their much acclaimed game against Lebanon, as they created good possession in the mid-field and attacked from the right, but the strikers failed to meet the crosses as Subrata Pal grasped them before Channa and Isaadeen came calling. Anwar held a ball in the left corner as he conceded a corner in the 61st min. From the resulting corner, Ruwantilake headed home as the Indian defenders watched faces.

Renedy Singh came in for Anthony Pereira in the 62nd as the game changed after his introduction. A free-kick about 25 yards from the Lankan goal was taken by Steven Dias and he curled the ball in the right corner but custodian Kumara made a gem of a save, in the 65th min. India snatched the lead in the 69th min as a Dias free-kick found Pradeep as his shot was deflected by Kumara and Gouramangi pounced on the rebound to score. Chhetri laid off Pradeep in the 77th min as he turned around his marker to bang the bottom right post of Kumara.Pradeep and Steven Dias combined well after that resulting in Steven Dias shooting the ball from the right end of the box to take India 3-1 up and assure full three points. India faced nervous last minutes as Gunaratne and Maduranga kept trying for a second Lankan goal but alert defenders Mahesh Gawli and Gouramangi held their ground guided by custodian Subrata Pal. The match ended in a huge applaud for the home side by the crowd who had gathered in numbers for the sub-continental tie.

Coach Bob Houghton was extremely pleased with Mahesh Gawli and Steven Dias’s performance in the game and he praised the 'Blue Brigade' for playing an all-out attacking game as the defence performed well from the last match under the guidance of a calm and composed Mahesh Gawli. Houghton looked forward to tomorrow’s tie of Lebanon and Syria as it will spill the beans for the final and he maintained that his boys will enter the Syria match on a high on their much improved performance.

INDIA

Subrata Pal, Gouramangi Singh, Surkumar Singh, Anwar Ali, Mahesh Gawli, Steven Dias (Rahim Nabi 86'), Climax Lawrence, N.P.Pradeep (Mehrajuddin 90'), Anthony Pereira (Rennedy Singh 63'), Sunil Chetri, Baichung Bhutia ,

Kyrgyzstan hold Lebanese troopers, 1 - 1



KYR : Anton Zemlianuhin 48' :: LEB :Abbas Ahmad Atwi 56'
M.O.M : Anton Zemlianuhin (KYR)

25.08.2009 :Anirban Roy,Delhi ::Kyrgyzstan was up against a good Lebanese side after their hopes almost diminished after India beat them hands down. They rallied and defended till the clock ran out as they earned their first point from their third match against Lebanon here in the Nehru Cup. Lebanon played their usual game of mid-field possession and swift flank movement from the start but Kyrgyzstan seemed to have done their homework as they intercepted their final balls.

In the 22nd min Abbas Ahmad Atwi found a ball from the mid-field on the right and fired a low volley across the goal as it just clipped the fingernails of Kyrgyz goalkeeper Matiash Pavel and went out for a corner. After that it was an inspired Kyrgyzstan who build up possession from the defence to the mid-field and wings. In the 31st min, Anton Zemlianuhin fired a volley from a corner as it rattled the crossbar. The next min, again Anton fired a shot to the keeper Lary Mehanna as he saved it to hit the bar again and concede a corner. In 44th min Almazbek Mirzaliev missed a sitter as his shot lacked power and went straight to keeper Mehanna.





Kyrgyzstan surprised everyone with their attempted dominance in the first half but the second half was a tale of spurned fortunes. In the 48th min Hassan Maatouk hit the post after a brilliant solo run. The same minute Anton Zelianuhin pounced on a good ball on the left and fired a shot to give Kyrgyzstan their first goal in the Nehru Cup. In the 56th min a great through ball found El Ali in the Kyrgyz box as he calmly centered it to Abbas Ahmad Attwi who fired on half volley to equalize for Lebanon. After the goal it was Lebanon all the way as strikers Atwi, Maatouk and El Atat troubled the Kyrgyzstan defence line up all the way untill the final whistle.

While Mirlan Murzaev and Amirov Ildar tried to enter the Lebanese box but defenders Ali Al Saadi, Najjarine, Ali Hammam kept them at bay. Kyrgyzstan defence fumbled many a times lead by Rustem Usanov and Vladimir Kasian as they saw a wave after wave of Lebanese attack lead by Maatouk and Atwi. As referee Abdul Hannan blew his whistle the match ended with Lebanon getting a new lease of life after coming from behind.

Kyrgyzstan mid-fielder Anton Zemlianuhin was rightly adjudged Man of the Match for his brilliant left footed goal and his nimble skills that troubled the Lebanese defence all throughout the match. Kyrgyzstan coach Anarbek was indeed disappointed as his boys couldn’t snatch full three points but was optimistic that his team was a good future prospect and has learned a lot from the tournament as they are virtually out of the race now. Lebanese coach Emile Rustom looked forward to his next do-or-die match against Syria as they will be looking to clinch a place in the finals. throughout the week.

Mighty Syrians tame Lankan Lions, 4 - 0




SYR : Mohamed Al Zeno 26',Abdelrazaq Hussain 33',Abdul Alaga 37',55'
M.O.M : Abdelrazaq Al Hussain (SYR)

24.08.2009 :Anirban Roy,Delhi ::The Sri Lankan Lions suffered a heavy thrashing at the hands of a mighty Syrian side here in the capital. It was expected to be competitive encounter and a game of a quick n nippy Lankan side against a long ranger floater game of the Syrian side, but Syrians dominated the encounter against the island nation. Sri Lanka looked comfortable playing short passes and position play in the beginning but soon Syrian got the taste of their game as they took over after 20th min all through extra time. In the 14th min Al Zeno shot from outside of the box as he clipped the post. A corner in the 26th min found Al Zeno who headed the ball in past keeper H.M.A Kumara for Syria’s first goal.

In the 29th min a lob by Gunaratne was kept out by an alert Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous. Alaa Alshbli received a long ball on the left in the 33rd min and his inch perfect cross found Al Housian who headed the ball in to give a 2-0 lead. He could have scored a brace as he dribbled past the keeper only to found the side netting in the 35th min. A through ball in the next minute found Wael Ayan as he passed it on to Abdul Fatah Alaga as he netted home to give Syria a 3-0 lead before halftime.

After the break, Sri Lanka came out stronger as they tried to play from the wing and attempted through balls but a sturdy Syrian defence cleared with ease. In the 55th min, Al Housian went past two defenders as his shot was saved by Kumara but Alaga pounced on the rebounded cross to score from 5 yards to make the score 4-0. After the clock hit 60, Raumy Mohideen and Issadeen provided numerous crosses into the Syrian box but defenders Feras Ismail and Daim cleared with ease and created opportunities for counter attacks. The score remained 4-0 as Sri Lanka tried hard to control play and dominate but their attempts were thwarted by the bodily Syrian defenders.

After the final whistle Lankan coach Sampatha Perera looked dejected as he accepted defeat. Syrian coach Fajer Ibrahim lamented his boys playing during Ramadan as he showed his displeasure towards the hot and humid weather of the capital. He looked forward to his match against their neighbours Lebanon, as he set his sights on the final.


India scrapes past Kyrgyzstan 2 - 1 in 2nd Match


IND: Baichung Bhutia 42', Sunil Chhetri 57' (pen)
KYR: Miran 90' :: MOM: Baichung(Ind)

23.08.2009 :Anirban Roy,Delhi ::India showed an inspired performance against a promising Kyrgyzstan side to beat them hands down and put three vital points in their kitty. Leading the team was henchman Bhaichung Bhutia as he scored the first goal for the Blue Brigade on his 100th appearance for the national team. It wasn’t easy for India as Kyrgyzstan came out guns blazing against an off-colour Indian mid-field.. Harchenko got the ball in the 9th min through the box as keeper Subrata Pal made a brilliant one-on-one save.

An young Kyrgyzstan midfield played short wall passes enroute to the Indian box but inumerous shots were saved by the custodian Subrata Pal, as he got hint of the things to come. In 42nd min a long goal kick by Subrata Pal found Bhaichung in the box as he turned his marker and placed the ball past the Kyrgyzstan keeper, before hitting the inside post.. India entered the tunnel with a goal off their chest.

India started the second half on a high as Climax Lawrence’s shot from top of the box found Bhaichung in the rebound who just cranked the post & sent the crowds cheering. In the 57th min Sunil Chhetri got a ball from the right as he laid off Bhaichung who dribbled past the keeper & fell a scarecrow as the keeper caught his foot leading to a penalty. Chhetri placed the ball calmly in the right corner as he gave India a much needed lead. Two mins later, Mirzaliev was caught from behind in the box by Gourmangi Singh as the referee gave a penalty.

Subrata Pal again flashed his name on the screens as he saved a brilliant penalty and kept India in the game. Renedy Singh came in for Anthony Pereira in the 70th min as he, Bhaichung & Chhetri made some good moves in the opposition half. A pass by Bhaichung to Chhetri made Chhetri just shoot wide off the right post in the 76th min. There were nervous last 15 mins as Kyrgyzstan came out guns blazing in the Indian half as India looked vulnerable.

Bhaichung received a standing ovation as he was replaced by Sushil Singh in the 82nd min. Kyrgyzstan kept attacking and Indian side backs allowed the wingers ample space to provide crosses. A pass for Sidorenko saw him shooting a bullet as his attempt hit the crossbar & went for a goal kick. As the clock hit 90th min Mirlan Murzaev took the ball from left played a wall with Anton Zemliannuhin & shot past Subrata Pal to score a goal. India survived a scare as another attempt hit the bar & went out in extra time.

Coach Bob Houghton was pleased with India's performance as Bhaichung got the Man of the Match award from Delhi player Jatin Bisht (of ONGC). Also Houghton laid forth his next assignment against their sub-continental neighbours Sri Lanka, who have impressed him to a great extent with their simple and endearing game.

India: Subrata Pal, Anwar Ali, Gouramangi Singh,Deepak Mondal, Mahesh Gawli, Climax Lawrence, Steven Dias, N.P. Pradeep (Mehraj 87'), Anthony Pereira (Renedy 70'), Sunil Chetri, Baichung Bhutia (Sushil 82')



Sri Lanka mutilate Lebanon 4-3

22.08.2009 : ANIRBAN ROY, DELHI ::Considered as the amateur whipping boys of the tournament the Lankan team showed what skin they are made of. The Lankan Lions, as they are rightly called, came back from a 1-2 score line to beat the Lebanese side 4-3 here in the third game of Nehru Cup in the capital. Right from kickoff the Lankans surprised everybody with their depth position play and complete ball movement. The 5th min saw a cross from the right flank by the Lebanese but danger was averted by an alert Lankan keeper H.M.A Kumara.

In the 7th min a through ball in the mid field found E.B Channa as he swiftly passed it to N.M.N Isaadeen who slotted home profoundly past the Lebanese keeper Elias Freije. Lebanon retaliated in the 9th min as an accurate cross was met by a Akram Moghrabi header as the ball rolled in the net. Lebanon created a chance in the 13th min with a through ball but was well cleared by Hettiarachchi. Lebanon conceded a free kick in the 17th min, which was taken by Channa as his bullet strike hit the post. The Lankan keeper looked vulnerable so far as his untimely outburst and kick found Lebanon’s Matouk as he drove the ball to the stands.

The Lankans now started to become dominant and confident as they found their teammates through wing play and through balls in the Lebanese box. An untoward incident took place in the 41st min as a mid-air tussle resulting in a Lankan player & Lebanese Moghrabi falling to the ground , Moghrabi retaliated & stepped on the Lankan player. The referee was within 10 yards as he issued marching orders to Akram Moghrabi.. With the halftime coming to close Lankans conceded a casual free kick resulting in Hassan Maatouk sailing the ball in the box as defender Ali Al Saadi netted the ball in, much to the disgust of Lankan players Kumara & Channa.

After the breather, it was Sri Lanka all the way as Channa & Issadeen dominated the Lebanese half with assistance from M. Asmeer & defenders Warakagoda & Ruwanthilake. In the 51st min Channa laid off Gunaratne as his cross found keeper Freije. A mistaken offside trap saw Mohmoud El Ali clear in the Lankan half as goalkeeper Kumara came rushing out the box & kept the Lankans in the game. In the 73rd min a free kick by Mohmoud Kohrani hit the post as the keeper had no chance. Sri Lankans dominated the Lebanese half as their wing play & mid field domination surprised the Lebanese as they were kept at bay.

Lankan captain Maduranga played an inspiring game as he, Channa & Issadeen kept the ball moving through the left wing and provided almost perfect crosses, much to the disgust of Lebanese defenders Ali Al Saadi & keeper Freije.. One such cross in the 80th min was met by Maduranga & rebounded through the Freije as Issadeen capitalised on it & equalised. In the 82nd min Maduranga turned his marker & found the bottom left of the net to give the Lankans a lead. Now the Lankan lions came blazing as Maduranga, Issadeen & Channa took numerous attempts at goal & kept the ball in possession.

In the 89th min Issadeen again turned around the defender confusing him while he placed the ball in the deep right corner of the net, for jubilation of the Lankan camp. Extra time was 6 min as Lebanon looked out of steam, but their efforts got them a penalty & a red card for defender Hettiarachchi. Lebanon reduced the margin through Mohamad Korhani in 90+6 mins.

Lebanese coach Emile Rustom was disappointed by his team’s performance as he talked about the rising temperature, & the first day of Ramadan as his boys went on fast. Sri Lankan coach Sampatha Perera contemplated on believing in his boys and his technical staff & considered the result as the best in his career & for his team, yet.

Sri Lanka :H. M. A. Kumara, Don Rohana Dinesh Ruwanthilaka; Siyaguna Kosgodage,Ramlan Tuwan Gafoor Raheem, H. A. Hettiarachchi, R. Warakagoda, Mohamed Rawme Mohideen, Wella Hettige ,(76' W.A.Tharusha Rangana), M.N. Issadeen, Ediri Bandalage, Mohamed Asmeer

Lebanon :Elias Freije,Ali Al Saadi, Mohamad Korhani, Ali Hamam, El Najjarine ,Ali El Atat, Hamze Abboud (62' Hussein Amine), Hassan Maatouk (72' Mohamad Baker Younes), Ali Yaakoub (67' Amer Khan), Akram Moghrabi, Mahmoud El Ali,


Rains wash away Sri Lanka vs Lebanon match

21.08.2009 : ANIRBAN ROY, DELHI Heavy torrential rains in the capital washed away the third game of the ONGC Nehru Cup here in the capital this evening. It was considered as a semi decider for the Lebanese team as they waited eagerly to get the match underway.

But it was to their utter dismay as heavy rains scathed away the stadium. The Sri Lankan team coach Pererra was a bit dejected as his boys couldn’t take to the ground as he and his staff analyzed the ground. Every team except Sri Lanka has played till now in the round robin format tournament.

The match commissioner Mr. Chuang Chin Fan gave his final verdict after watching the grass being submerged under about 7-8 inches of deluge, even after the downpour stopped, resulting in the ground being declared as unfit to play. The Lankans boarded their team bus looking somewhat dissonant as all their preparations were marred by the heavy & indeed unexpected downpour.

While Lebanese coach Emile Rustom looked forward to their next match against a young but promising Kyrgyzstan side on 24th August, his counterpart Pererra searched the heavenly skies for inspiration against a domineering Syrian side who they face on 23rd August.

Serious Syria starts with a 2-0 win in Nehru Cup

20.08.2009 :: ANIRBAN ROY, DELHI :: It was expected to be a clash of titans as Kyrgyzstan faced the Syrian side today evening. The match was expected to be a revelation of the future domineering team of the tournament, but rather turned out to be a thrashing of a young Kyrgyzstan side by a mature Syrian side.

Right from the start the Syrians dominated the game vying for possession in the midfield and switching flanks & changing positions while settling to the hot and humid conditions of the capital. In the 9th min a throw in from the left resulted in the ball falling to Moutaz Kailouni whose perfect cross was headed home by Mohammed Al Zeno, to the utter angust of the young Kyrgyzs keeper.

After the goal Kyrgyzstan tried to play short passes in the mid field and build moves but they just lacked that final finesse as the mighty Syrian defense cleared their lines and opted for counter attacks. In the 22nd min Mirlan Murzaev got the ball but lost it after getting in the box.

With both Kyrgysztan and Syria vying for possesion, Syrian Aibek Bokoev channeled the mid field and the flanks, his shot just went wide of the post in the 30th min. Kyrgysztan now tried to play a one-two and switch-over to the flanks which resulted in crosses into the box , most of them were cleared by alert Syrian defenders Esmaeel & Al Hussain.

The match attended by a meager crowd under a thousand, most of them comprising the media,the Sri Lankan team & the Indian Technical staff was turning into a battle of the midfield in the second half. The Kyrgyzstani players after the lemon break looked rejuvinated & poised to built up impressive moves resulting in crosses from the flanks (mostly left), to the excitement of a few Kyrgysztan supporters cheering their young squad.

While Faruh Abitov & Zemliannuhin pleased the crowd with their depth turnings and long balls switching the flanks, it was utter dismay to their coach that those chances coudn't be converted to goals. At the hour mark both the teams resorted to hard tackling & rough challenges, resulting in a red card for Roman Ablakimov of Kyrgyzstan.The decision of the official was highly debatable.

After the 70th min Syrians seemed to be adopting the approach of their opponents, playing through balls and deep crosses in the box. One such cross from the right saw two Syrian strikers unmarked & Alaga's header just off target. In the 72nd min a through ball by by Raja Rafe reached Abdul Fattah Alaga who dribbled past the keeper and slotted the ball in, receiving a loud cheer from a 30 odd Syrian supporters.

The dominance of the Syrians beacame more evident as Kyrgyzstan players started to look dejected and rather tired. In the 92nd min Al Hussain saw the keeper advanced out of his line & rightfully tried to chip the keeper but his attempt hit the post.The final whistle saw a young Kyrgyzstan side applauding their supporters rather dejected by their performance.

Syrian Al Zeno was adjudged the man of the match. During post match conference both the coaches were glad with their teams performances and blamed the hot & humid conditions for tiring themselves out. The Syrian coach emphasized on saving stamina as the main motive for the West Asians which was their strategy while the Kyrgyzstan coach was optimistic that his young squad performed well as he laughed his way to the officials decision of the red card of Roman Ablakimov.

Squad Syria :Mosab Balhous, Abdelrazaq Al Hussain, Ali Diab, Belal Abduldaim, Feras Esmaeel, Wael Ayan, Bakri Tarrab (46' Alaa Al Shbli), Ahmad Haj Mohamad, Moutaz Kailouni (62' Raja Rafe), Abdul Fattah Alaga (85' Juan Hesso),Mohamed Al Zeno,

Squad Kyrgyzstan : Pavel Matiash, Sergey Chikishev (72' Davron Askarov), Roman Ablakimov; Vadim Harchenko, Ildar Amirov,Faruh Abitov (77' Vladimir Kasian), Rustem Usanov, Mirlan Murzaev (74' Almazbek Mirzaliev), Aibek Bokoev ,Anton Zemlianuhin,Sergey Kaleutin,

India lost to Lebanon in the opening of Nehru Cup

19.08.2009 :: ANIRBAN ROY, DELHI ::The ghosts of the World Cup Qualifying campaign came to haunt India once again as they were beaten by Lebanon by a solitary goal in the opening fixture of the Nehru Cup on their home turf at the Ambedkar Stadium here in New Delhi. The tournament opener attended by a packed crowd cheering the home team wasn't enough for the Blue Brigade.

The Indian defence conceded a needless freekick in the 3rd minute and Ali Al Saad of Lebanon converted the freekick piercing through the Indian wall. In the 23rd min Steven Dias's shot just went wide of the post. Lebanon started to dominate the midfield, moving the ball around and keeping possesion. India got few free kicks in first half and once Sushil Singh came close to scoring with a header. Surkumar's effort was also saved by Lebanese keeper Mehanna with ease.

Second half started with the introduction of Sunil Chhetri in place of Sushil Singh. Lebanon started to have the lion's share of possesion. The introduction of Mahesh Gawli in the 54th min saw India making moves from the left wing and playing long balls into the opponent box. While Subrata Pal kept the home team in the game after a good flick over the box. In the 64th min Sunil Chhetri's effort just went wide. The next move resulted in Bhaichung getting the ball and getting tripped in the box yearning for a penalty, but was instead booked for diving.

India now tried their luck with long balls from the flank provided by Surkumar Singh & Gourmangi,but an average taller Lebanese defensive setup dealt with ease. The 75th min saw India making a good move with possesion resulting in a corner from left which was saved by keper Mehanna hurriedly. The last chance fell to Anthony Pereira in the 80th min who shot wide of the frame. The match was over with disappointment for the crowd. Lebanon's Ali Al Saad was declared the man of the match.

In the press conference, coach Bob Houghton seemed pleased with his boys performance but he made a point to talk about the length of the grass of the pitch. He answered questions about Bhaichung's controversial penalty decision & the fitness of Sunil Chhetri. He also was optimistic that his team would perform better & that they have a tough tournament ahead. Lebanesecoach Emile Rustom was happy that his boys came out above all, including factors like the humid temperature, the length of the grass and of course the Indian opposition.

INDIA TEAM:

Subrata Paul ,Gourmangi Singh ,Surkumar Singh ,Steven Dias , N.S.Manju (Mahesh Gawli 57'),Climax Lawrance, N.P. Pradeep, Anwar Ali (Mehrajuddin Wadoo 78'), Anthony pereira ,Sushil Singh (Sunil Chhetri 46'), Baichung Bhutia(C)

Defending Champion India will meet Lebanon tomorrow


18.08.2009 :: Anirban Roy, Delhi ::Defending Champion India will open their ONGC Nehru Cup encounter against Lebanon tomorrow at the Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium.The match will start from 6.30 PM.

A 19-strong Lebanon football squad had a practice session at a city college ground here. Their defender Ahmad El Khodor could not accompany the team due to illness just before departure of the team towards India.

Half of their squad were below 25 and at least four of them have played against India in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers (30.10.2007). The match result was 2 - 2 and return match they beat India 4 - 1 ( 8.10.2007). Their Striker Mohammad Ghaddar, who scored two goals each in the two legs of that matches will be the player to watch tomorrow including Ramez Dayoub, who signed up with Kolkata giants East Bengal this season..

Lebanon coach Emile Rustom told that his two players are playing in Germany and India and one defender is injured,in spite of that he feels that thay have a good chances in the tournament. The team will do their best and will give their hundred percent effort on the field and it would be a good preparation of coming Asian cup.

On the other hand Bhaichung Bhutia and Co. are a confident lot after a seven-week training tour of Dubai and Barcelona where they played four friendly (2 win 2 drawn) games against Spanish third division sides in their month-long camp in Barcelona where they used top class facilities at Nou Camp.

Lebanon Squad : Ali Al Saadi, Akram Moghrabi, Mahmoud El Ali, Hussein Amine,Bilal Cheikh El Najjarine, Lary Mehanna, Elias Freije,Ali El Atat, Hamze Abboud, Mohamad Baker Younes, Mohamad Korhani, Amer Khan, Abbas Ahmad Atwi, Hassan Daher, Hassan Maatouk, Mohamad Ghaddar, Ali Hamam,Hussein Dakik, Ali Yaakoub,

India Squad

Goalkeepers ::1-Subrata Pal, 24-Subhashish Roy Chowdhury

Defenders :: 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, 5-Anwar Ali, 12-Deepak Kumar Mondal, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 17-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 20-Samir Naik, 27-Mehrajuddin Wadoo

Midfielders ::7-Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, 8-Potsangbam Renedy Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi, 23-Steven Benedic Dias, 28-Anthony Pereira, 30-Climax Lawrence

Forwards ::11-Sunil Chhetri, 15-Baichung Bhutia [C], 18-Sushil Kumar Singh, 21-Abhishek Yadav

Excluded Players :: Mohan Raj,Subhash Singh,Arindam Bhattacharya,Govin Singh,Jagpreet Singh,Baldeep Singh,Rakesh Masih

Coach : Bob Houghton


    TABLE

    TEAMS M WDL GFGAGDPT
    Syria 4 400 80+812
    India 4 20254+16
    Lebanon 4 112 56-14
    Kyrgyzstan 4 112 6601
    Sri Lanka 4 103 614-83

    Man of the Match

    Match - 1 :(19 Aug) : Ali Al Saadi (LEB)

    Match - 2 :(20 Aug ) : Mohamed Al Zeno (SYR)

    Match - 3 :(22 Aug) : Mohamed Issadeen (SL)

    Match - 4:(23 Aug) : Baichung Bhutia (IND)

    Match - 5:(24 Aug) : A. Al Hussain (SYR)

    Match - 6:(25 Aug) : Anton Zemlianuhin (KYR)

    Match - 7:(26 Aug) : Baichung Bhutia (IND)

    Match - 8: (27 Aug) : Mohamed Al Zeno (SYR)

    Match - 9: (28 Aug) : Anton Zemlianuhin (KYR)

    Match - 10:(29 Aug) :Ali Diab (SYR)

    Match - 11:(31 Aug) :Subrata Paul (GK-IND)




India Team & Scores From 1982 - 2007

2007 - New Delhi

17- 8 :: India 6 - 0 Cambodia
Scoere-India : N.P.Pradeep 16', Baichung Bhutia 45'+4'pen,Steven Dias 73', 90', Sunil Chettri 83', 84'

20- 8 :: India 1 - 0 Bangladesh
Scoere-India : Baichung Bhutia 5'

23- 8 :: India 2 - 3 Syria
Scoere-India : Sunil Chetri 13', K.N.Ajayan 81'

26- 8 :: India 3 - 0 Kyrgyzstan
Scoere-India : Baichung Bhutia 39', Sunil Chetri 60', Abhishek Yadav 90'+1]

Final

29- 8 :: India 1 - 0 Syria
Scoere-India : N. P. Pradeep 44'


1997 - Kochi

1- 4 :: India 0 - 0 China

4- 4 :: India 2 - 2 Uzbekistan
Scoere-India : M.Vijayan, Carlton Chapman

6- 4 :: India 0 - 1 Iraq

8- 4 :: India 2 - 2 Ghana
Scoere-India : I.M.Vijayan, Bhaichung Bhutia

3rd/4th place Match

11- 4 :: China 2 - 1 India Scoere-India : Baichung Bhutia


1995 - Kolkata

10- 3 :: India 0 - 5 Thailand

12- 3 :: India 1 - 1 Iraq
Scorer-India: Tausif Zamal

22- 3 :: India 1 - 0 Uzbekistan
Scorer-India: Baichung Bhutia

24- 3 :: Russia 3 - 0 India


1993 - Madras

20- 1-1993 :: Finland 0 - 0 India

24- 1-1993 :: India 1 - 1 Cameroon
Scorer-India : I.M.Vijayan

26- 1-1993 :: India 0 - 2 Finland

30- 1-1993 :: India 2 - 2 Cameroon
Scorer - India : P.B.Sathyan,Aqeel Ansari

Fair Play Trophy: India

Man of the Tournament : I.M. Vijayan


1991 - Thrivantipuram

13- 1 :: India 0 - 3 Romania

17- 1 :: India 1 - 2 Hungary
Scorer-India: C.V.Pappachan

19- 1 :: India 1 - 0 Zambia
Scorer-India: Bikash Panji

22- 1 :: India 0 - 1 China

24- 1 :: India 1 - 3 Soviet Union
Scorer-India: Bikash Panji



1989 - Margao

Group Stage :: India 0 - 2 Poland

Do :: India 0 - 2 Soviet Union

Do :: India 1 - 2 North Korea
Scorer - India: Bikash Panji

Do :: India 1 - 2 Iraq Scorer - India: Satyajit Chatterjee

Do :: India 0 - 1 Hungary

India Team: Henry Menezes,Debashish Mukherjee,Bibash Saha,Sharaf Ali,Amit Bhadra,Sudip Chatterjee, Mannivanan,M.Babu,Norbert Gonsalves,Derek Pereira,Williams,Satyajit Chatterjee,Bikash Panji, Savio Madeira,Anantha Kumar,Camillo Gonsalves.Mario Soares,John Araujo,Darbara Singh, Kuljit Singh,Sisir Ghosh,Syed Firoze,Santosh Kashyap,Mauricio Afonso.
Coach : Syed Nayeemuddin (Chief-Coach)


1988 - Silliguri

19- 1 :: India 0 - 2 China

22- 1 :: India 1 - 4 Hungary
Scorer - India: Krisanu Dey

25- 1 :: India 0 - 3 Bulgaria

28- 1 :: India 1 - 1 Poland
Scorer - India: Deepak Kumar

India Team :

Debashish Mukherjee,Bibash Saha,Henry Menezes,Abdul Majid,Mastan Ahmed,Tarun Dey. Amit Bhadra,Musheer Ahmed,Deepak Kumar,Sudip Chatterjee,Parminder Singh Jr.,Jagmohan Singh ,Victor Amalraj,P.Vijay Kumar,Sudip Chakraborty,Satyajit Chatterjee,Babu Mani,Pradeep Talukdar. Debashish Sarkar,Kuljit Singh,Narender Kumar, Uttam Mukherjee
Coach:Syed Nayeemuddin (Chief-Coach)


1987 - Calicut

22 - 1 :: India 1 - 1 China
Scorer -India: Pem Dorji

28- 1 :: India 0 - 2 Bulgaria
01- 2 :: India 1 - 1 Denmark
Scorer - India :: Sisir Ghosh

India Team : Chandrakant Naik,Henry Menezes,Muhammed Mustafa.Abdul Majid,Amit Bhadra,Mastan Ahmed, Pem Dorji,Francis Benny,Savio Madeira,Ilyas Pasha,Lawrence Gomes,Anthony d'Souza,Mohammed Fareed,P.Vijay Kumar,Babu Mani,Sisir Ghosh,Thomas Sebastian,C.V.Pappachan, Johnny Araujo
Coach:Syed Nayeemuddin (Chief-Coach). Bob bootland (Asst. Coach)


1986 - Kolkata

? :: India 0 - 6 Soviet Union
? :: India 0 - 5 East Germany
? :: India 0 - 2 South Korea
? :: India 0 - 0 China
30- 1 :: India 0 - 1 Peru

India Team : Atanu Bhattacharya,Brahmanand Shankwalkar,Henry Menezes,Krishnendu Roy,Francis Benny, Mastan Ahmed,Musheer Ahmed,Deepak Kumar,Sharaf Ali,Mauricio Afonso,V.P.Sathyan, Parminder Singh,Prasanta Banerjee,Anadi Barua,Babu Mani,Sisir Ghosh,Jose d'Silva,Tarun Roy, Amjad Khan,Subir Sarkar,Krishna G.Chowdhury.
Coach:P.K.Banerjee


1985 - Kochin

23- 1 :: India 0 - 1 South Korea
25- 1 :: India 2 - 3 Algeria
Scorer-India:Aloke Mukherjee, Bikash Panji

31- 1 :: India 0 - 1 Morocco


1984 - Kolkata

11 - 1 :: India 1 - 2 Poland
Scorer India :: Manas Bhattaracharjee

14 - 1 :: India 0 - 1 Argentina

19 - 1 :: Hungary 1 - 0 India

21 - 1 :: India 0 - 0 Romania

24 - 1 :: China 3 - 0 India


1983 - Kochin

15 - 3 :: India 1 - 2 China
Scorer - India : Akkum

19 - 3 :: India 0 - 1 Italy

25- 3 :: India 1 - 2 Hungary
Scorer - India : Parminder singh

INDIA TEAM

Bhaskar Ganguly, Brahmanand Shankwalkar, Compton Dutta, Sudip Chatterjee, Manoranjan Bhattacharya, Aloke Mukherjee, Pem Derji, Musheer Ahmed, Parminder Singh, Prashanta Banerjee, A.K. Thapa, Jose d'Souza, C.B. Thapa, Akkum, Thomas Sebastian, Xavier Pius, Krishanu Dey, Narender Thapa, Bento Andrews, Camillo Gonsalves, Satish Kumar.
Coach: S.A. Salaam

1982 - Kolkata

16 - 2 :: India 1 - 1 China
Scorer - India : Mihir Bose

18- 2 :: India 2 - 2 South Korea
Scorer - India :Prasanta Banerjee, Manas Bhattacharya

21- 2 : India 0 - 1 Italy

25- 2 :: India 1 - 3 Uruguay
Scorer - India : Manas Bhattacharya

27- 2 :: India 2 - 1 Yugoslavia
Scorer - India : Manoranjan Bhattacharya, Manas Bhattacharya


FIXTURES & RESULTS (Kick-off : 6.30 PM )

19th AUG : India 0 - 1   Lebanon
(LEB ) : Ali Al Saadi 4'
20th AUG : Kyrgyzstan   0 - 2   Syria
(SYR ) :Mohamed Al Zeno 9', Abdul Fattah Alaga 71'
22ndt AUG : Sri Lanka   4 - 3   Lebanon
(SRI): Mohamed Issadeen 6',80',88',Siyaguna Kosgodage 83' ...... (LEB ): Akram Moghrabi 9',Ali Saadi 44',Mohamad Korhani 90'+6'
23rd AUG : India   2 - 1   Kyrgyzstan
(IND) : Baichung Bhutia 42', Sunil Chhetri 57' (pen)
( KYR ) : Miran 90' ....
24th AUG : Syria   4 - 0   Sri Lanka
SYR : Mohamed Al Zeno 26', Abdelrazaq Hussain 33',Abdul Alaga 37', 55'
25th AUG :Kyrgyzstan   1 - 1   Lebanon
(KYR ) : Anton Zemlianuhin 48'
(LEB) : Abbas Ahmad Atwi 56'
26th AUG :India   3 - 1   Sri Lanka
( IND) : Baichung Bhutia 27' Gourmangi Singh 70',Steven Dias 84'
(SRL) : Don Rohana 62' ::
27th AUG :Syria   1 - 0   Lebanon
(SYR) :: Mohamed Al Zeno
28th AUG :Sri Lanka   1 - 4   Kyrgyzstan
(KYR): Anton Zemlianuhin 34' Ildar Amirov 44',Mirlan 64',Rustem Usanov 70'
(SRI): Maduranga Weerasinghe 52'
29th AUG : India   0 - 1   Syria
(SYR): Ali Diab
31st Aug (FINAL): India   1 - 1, 5-4 (P)   Syria
(IND): Renedy Singh 112'
(SYR): Ali Diab 122'

Winner & Runners at a Glance

    year Winners Runners-Up
    1982 Uruguay 2 - 0 China
    1983 Hungary 2 - 1 China
    1984 Poland 1 - 0 China
    1985 Soviet Union 2 - 1 Yugoslavia
    1986 Soviet Union 1 - 0 China
    1987 Soviet Union 2 - 0 Bulgaria
    1988 Soviet Union 2 - 0 Poland
    1989 Hungary 2 - 1 Soviet Union
    1991 Romania 3 - 1 Hungary
    1993 North Korea 2 - 0 Romania
    1995 Iraq 1 - 0 Russia
    1997 Iraq 3 - 1 Uzbekistan
    2007 India 1 - 0 Syria

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