AFC Under-19 Qualifiers: Late Goals Deny Ten Man India Point Against Saudi Arabia

Two late goals denied India a draw against Saudi Arabia as they lost the game 1-3 in a Group C encounter at Arbil, Iraq on Saturday evening. 

After losing 0-5 against Iraq in their first game, India were determined to put on a much improved performance.

It was an even contest in the opening stages until India opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Shilton D’Silva headed home a R Rozanma cross into the back of the net.

The goal gave Colin Toal’s boys confidence but they couldn’t increase their advantage before halftime.

Saudi Arabia equalized ten minutes into the second session thanks to an own goal from Deepak Devrani whose clearance went past India keeper Gurpreet Sandu.

The Indian boys were putting up a good fight and were very much in the game until they were reduced to ten men when Vishal Kumar was shown his second yellow card by Vietnamese referee Von Minh Tri in the 66th minute.

Saudi made the most of their numerical advantage and started dominating game. They won a number of corners but the Indian team was doing well to hold on and even had a few half chances of their own.

However one minute from the end Abdullah Ali S Almohammed gave Saudi the lead. Stunned by the late goal, India conceded one more in injury time when Muhannad Hamed J Alfarsi scored the third.

Colian Toal’s team have now lost both their games and next face Oman on Tuesday. In Saturday’s other group game hosts Iraq beat defeated Oman 2-0.

Goal.com India