AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023: India qualify despite loss to Saudi Arabia

By
Jayujyoti Mullick
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0

Dammam: The Indian U-17 football team secured a spot in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023. Despite a 1-2 loss to the hosts Saudi Arabia in their final qualification match at the Prince Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium. The Blue Colts qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 by finishing among the top six second-place teams in each of the qualifying tournament’s 10 groups. Earlier in the competition, India had marked up a hattrick of wins against the Maldives (5-0), Kuwait (3-0) and Myanmar (4-1).

In the 14th minute, Lalpekhlua found Korou Singh as the in shot target of the winger was saved by the goalkeeper. From the following corner kick, Danny Meitei curled the ball inwards the near post and it almost trickled past the goalline after wreaking havoc in the Saudi defence.

Saudis created scoring opportunities across the first 45 minutes as well. India goalkeeper Sahil made a couple of sharp saves and Mukul Panwar making an excellent block to deny Nawaf Aljadaani in the 38th minute. Saudi Arabia scored on the 22nd-minute mark, with Talal Haji finding the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

The first significant opportunity for the hosts came immediately after the break when Haji took a direct free kick from 20 yards out but missed the crossbar. He scored on a penalty kick in the 58th minute, although, to extend his team’s lead. Korou’s diving header in the 70th minute came close. Three minutes later, as India mounted a determined late comeback, Gangte snuck in a quick effort at the near post but was thwarted by a spectacular save by the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Gangte put India on the scoreboard with a skillfully executed finish after both teams had swapped blows for the whole game. Despite a valiant attempt from the Indian squad, the game finished 1-2 in favour of the home team.

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