Asian Games Football: India 0-2 Saudi Arabia at Full Time — Highlights
The Indian men's football team lost to Saudi Arabia 0-2 in the Round of 16 in the 2023 Asian Games. The first half ended 0-0 but then India conceded 2 goals within 6 minutes.
The Indian men's football team
India vs Saudi Arabia Football: The Indian football team held out against Asian superpowers Saudi Arabia for the entire first half in the knockout Round of 16 match, but then conceded twice in quick succession to lose 0-2 to be knocked out from the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Thursday.
Khalil Marran found the back of the net in the 52nd minute to give Saudi Arabia a 1-0 lead and added another to make it 2-0 six minutes later.
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It was a great defensive show from India, except for 6 minutes, when they conceded 2 goals. India's campaign at the Asian Games comes to an end.
Dheeraj makes a save to keep the lead down to 2. At the other end, Rahul KP lets fly another ineffective shot that the keeper can swat away like a fly.
Chhetri is subbed off. What a brave campaign it has been for the 39-year-old! Rohit Danu comes on. Chhetri looked done with it all as Rahul KP decided to shoot wide instead of passing it into the centre. And Stimac does the captain a favour by taking him off.
Marran also taken off for Saudi. The two sides' talismans have been taken off, but for completely opposite reasons.
Chhetri is seen taking a moment to recover his breath in midfield. Not just a tiring game, what a tiring campaign it has been! 15 more minutes for Indian football to remain part of the Asian Games.
Chhetri delivers a corner short. Samuel Lyngdoh tries a shot. It has no power. Comfortable collection.
India trying to be more aggressive, earning some yellow cards in the process. Narender and Ayush pick up warnings.
Saudi still look the likelier to score, Jhingan fends away an attack for a corner.
Stimac rings in 3 changes. Rahim Ali, Rabeeh and Sana are taken off. Miranda, Ayush and Azfar Noorani are brought on. Good to see India do not plan to just fold up and go home.
As if on cue, an attack builds from the right flank. Out for a corner. Jhingan and Narender go up.
The dam seems to have been breached. Dheeraj too slow to get to a loose ball, and it is Marran again who dribbles past him and slots it in. Marran's second goal, Saudi's second goal.
The Indian defensive masterclass was fun while it lasted. Surely there's no way back from here!
Well, it was always coming. The dam is finally breached. A confusion of legs in the Indian box, and a shot goes into goal. Marran, who often went close in the first half, scores with 7 minutes gone in the 2nd half.
Guess who makes a vlock in the first few minutes of the 2nd half - Sandesh Jhingan! Can Jhingan hold fort for 45 more minutes?
In added time, another attack to keep out. Dheeraj up to the task. The first half ends. Miraculously, it is still 0-0. Jhingan, Narender and Dheeraj the stars of the defensive masterclass. Sana deserves mention too. Lalchununga, who had been suffering from a fever last week, looks a lot more suspect.
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