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Indian football team members celebrate their victory against Syria in the final of the Nehru Cup soccer tournament in New Delhi, India, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. -Photo by AP
NEW DELHI India beat Syria 5-4 in a penalty shootout to retain the Nehru Cup on Monday.
The game was scoreless after 90 minutes, but India and Syria both scored in extra-time to send the contest to penalties.
Both teams converted three of their first five penalties before the deadlock was broken when the shootout went to sudden death. Indian players scored on their first two shots and goalkeeper Subrata Paul clinched the issue by saving the second Syrian attempt.
Syria defeated India 1-0 Saturday to top the five-nation round-robin league, leaving defending champion India in second spot.
India won the last Nehru Cup in 2007, also defeating Syria in the final.
