Syria wins the 4th Intercontinental Cup Men’s Football Tournament

Syria defeated India 3-0 in the last round-robin match to win the 4th Intercontinental Cup men’s football championship. India, the defending champions, could not score a single goal in the match. 

The Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, presented the winners' trophy to Syrian captain Mahmoud Al-Mawas, also named the Syed Abdul Rahim Player of the Tournament.

The best player of the tournament is given the Syed Abdul Rahim trophy.

The All India Football Federation organised the 4th Intercontinental Cup football championship from 3 to 9 September 2024 at the GMC Balayogi Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana.

In the final round-robin match of the Intercontinental Cup, Syria took an early lead with Mahmoud Al-Aswad's goal in the seventh minute of the match. Later goals from Daleho Irandust and Pablo Sabbag turned the match irrevocably in the favour of the visiting Syrian team.

Teams and format of the 4th Intercontinental Cup Football Tournament

In the 4th Intercontinental Cup Football championship, three teams-India, Syria and Mauritius participated.

Syria, ranked 93rd in the latest FIFA ranking, was the highest-ranked team in the tournament, followed by host India, ranked 124th, and Mauritius, ranked 179th.

The tournament was played in a round-robin format, with each team playing against each other once. 

Syria remained unbeaten in the tournament, defeating Mauritius 2-0 and India 3-0 and emerged the winner.

India played a goalless draw with Mauritius. The Indian football team, under new coach  Manolo Márquez, failed to score a single goal in the tournament.

About the Intercontinental Cup 

The Intercontinental Cup men’s football tournament is organised by the All India Football Federation(AIFF) and replaced the Nehru Cup.

Normally, four nations participate in the Intercontinental Cup, but in the fourth edition, only three teams participated.