India won the 2012 Nehru Cup Opener defeating Syria by 2-1

Indian football team led by Sunil Chhetri won the opening match of the 2012 Nehru Cup against Syria. The defending champion of the tournament score two goals in comparison to one goal by the opponent. Sunil Chhetri and Anthony Pereira were the goal scorer from India while Alaa Alshbbli scored the only goal from Syria. The rain interrupted match was played at Nehru Stadium (Delhi). With newly appointed coach from Netherlands Wim Koevermans applied 4-4-1-1 system on the field. Indians were right into the game as it started. India will now play with Maldives on 25 August at Nehru Stadium, Delhi.

Captain Sunil Chhetri did the first goal of the match in 45th minute by heading the ball from Clifford Miranda. In the second half of the match, Anthony Pereira loobed the ball over Ahmed Alsalih to the goal post in 82nd minute providing India a 2-0 lead. In the 89th minute of the game, Alla Alshbbli succeded in scoring the only goal for Syria. India has won the Nehru Cup tournament in last two editions of 2007 and 2009. So the Indian team has started well for their hat-trick in Nehru Cup tournament. Maldives, Nepal and Cameron are the other teams participating in this tournament. Cameron is currently ranked 59th in the FIFA Ranking.