New Delhi, Aug 24 - Favourites Syria showed their class as they demolished Sri Lanka 4-0 in the ONGC Nehru Cup football tournament here Monday.

The high-flying Sri Lanka, who stunned Lebanon in their first match, were brought down to earth with a brace from Abdul Fatah Alaga (37, 55) and a goal apiece from star striker Mohammad Al Zeno (26) and Abdalrazak Al Housian (33) at the floodlit Ambedkar Stadium.

But the star of the evening was playmaker Wael Ayan, who with his perfect crosses and creative passes created the openings for the Syrian forwards.

Syria, though, never faced any challenge from the Island nation. In fact, it was difficult to believe that it was the same young Sri Lankan side that outpaced the higher-ranked Lebanese. One would have expected Sri Lanka to put a tougher fight, but the verve was missing and they were slow on feet.

The difference between the 95th-ranked Syria and 156th Sri Lanka was apparent and in the end it turned out to be a stroll in the park for the West Asian country.

Syria, who were runners-up in the last edition, were quick with their moves right from the start and regularly breached the Sri Lankan defence.