With a number of World-Cup capped players in their ranks, the Saudis proved their superiority over the Indians despite a slippery ground condition
KOLKATA: World Cup finalist Saudi Arabia lived up to their reputation thrashing India 3-0, aided by a brilliant hat-trick by striker Yasser Al-Qahtani in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers match at the Salt Lake stadium here on Wednesday.
With a number of World-Cup capped players in their ranks, the Saudis proved their superiority over the Indians despite a slippery ground condition due to a steady drizzle throughout the match. The Bhaichung Bhutia-led Indians, however, were a gallant loser to the much stronger outfit as they staged a remarkable fightback in the second half and came very near to scoring on a number of occasions taking advantage of the favourable home conditions, but poor marksmanship let them down. Manjit Singh was outstanding in the front for the home side as he, time and again, troubled the Saudi defence with his repeated attempts.
Saudi Arabia, which had won the AFC Cup three times in 1984, 1988 and 1996, have thus scored their second straight win after handing out a 4-0 drubbing to Yemen in their first match earlier to now head the four-team Group-A. India’s campaign so far has been disastrous as they slumped to their third consecutive defeat almost ensuring their elimination from the group level as only two teams would make it to the final round.
India had earlier suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat at the hands of formidable Japan which was followed by a 0-3 defeat to Yemen at New Delhi. The match started disastrously for the home side with the Saudis forging ahead barely a couple of minutes after the kick-off capitalising on a defensive lapse by NS Manju. It was a harmless looking cross from the right flank which was intercepted by Manju, but he was late in clearing the ball from the danger area giving enough opportunity to dangerous marksman Qahtani to pounce on it and shoot home.
Although the Saudis were finding it difficult to get into their rhythm on a slushy ground, their superiority in ball control and play-making was evident. The visitors increased their tally in the 20th minute. This time Qahtani headed home a cross from the right flank by Mohammad Haider. With two goals down, the home team started probing the opponent defence. Bhutia came near scoring in the very last minute of the first-half when the Saudi keeper failed to clear a floater. His feeble shot, however, went wide.
Earlier, Manjit Singh had sent a sudden long-ranger which just missed the target. Qahtani completed his hat-trick in the 53rd minute when he once again took advantage of a defensive lapse by Manju and shot home. It was the 37th goal by Qahtani in his 49th international.
The Indians re-organised themselves and launched repeated onslaughts on the Saudi defence in the last 30 minutes of the match. First, it was Manjit Singh whose header from a corner narrowly missed the goal and barely four minutes later a screamer by NP Pradeep was fisted over by the Saudi keeper at the expense of a corner. Bhutia also missed a very good chance from close range following a cross by Steven Dias.
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 3 — India 0
Goals: Yasser Al-Qahtani - hat-trick (2', 19', 53')
Yellow cards: Saud Khariri (33'), Yasser Al Qahtani (67'), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (81')
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