New Delhi, Aug 31 - Subrata Paul's awesome goalkeeping saw India overpower Syria 6-5 in a shootout to retain the Nehru Cup football title in a sensational match played out in front of an overflowing Ambedkar Stadium here monday.

Paul in an amazing display of reflexes and anticipation saved three spot kicks in the

tie-breaker after the two teams failed to score in regulation time and scored once each in the dying minutes of extra time.

Man-of-the-Match Paul, who had an outstanding tournament, blocked shots from Wael Ayan, Ahmad Haj Muhmad and Hamzeh Alattouni.

Paul fisted out the decisive attempt by Alattouni to spark a riotous invasion by a frenzied crowd. It came as a big relief for coach Bob Houghton as the twists and turns of the match captured his changing moods.

Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chettri, Steven Dias, Anwar and Surkumar Singh were on target for India in the tie-breaker while Raja Rafe, goalkeeper Mosab Balhous, Abdul Fatah Alaga and Abdal Razzak Al Hossian scored for Syria.

India appeared to have broken the the deadlock in the high-voltage clash when Renedy Singh scored through a free-kick in the 24th minute of extra time, but Ali Dyab came up with a stupendous header of' Raja Rafe's free-kick to sink Indian hopes of a clear-cut victory.

What followed next was the high drama culminating in Paul's brilliance under the bar. The Kolkata boy, who was discarded by both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, showed why he is rated so highly by national coach Bob Houghton.

It was a a re-match of the 2007 final at the same venue where India had also won the AFC Challenge last year.