2018 AFC U19 Championship Qualifiers: India Vs Saudi Arabia

That's all folks, from us here at Sportskeeda for the live coverage of the India v Saudi Arabia U-19 AFC Championship Qualifier. This has been Gaurav Kadam for Sportskeeda.

A poor result for Indian colts but let's hope they bounce back in the next game against Yemen. Good night and stay tuned to Sportskeeda for all sporting updates from around the world.

In the post-match interview, Indian player Rahul KP had the following to say. "We have to move past this result. We have come here with an aim to win and go through to the championship. We had a bad day and we can't let that to demotivate us. We will come back stronger in the next match for sure."

The opening match of the AFC U19 Championship Qualifiers proves to be one to forget for De Matos' side as they failed to have any answers for the opponents and got outplayed in all departments on the field.

India next face Yemen at the same venue on 6th November at 18:35 IST in their second match in the Group D of the qualifiers.

Full Time - Saudi Arabia 5 - India 0

The hosts run riot against the Indian colts in the opening fixture of the AFC U19 Championship Qualifiers. The Indian defense had no answers to the speed along the wings of the Saudi attack.

The midfield never found their footing as the Saudis managed to control the tempo throughout the game.

90+3 ' - The Saudi keeper is called into action as a cross from the right proves to be the final action of the match.

90+2' - Another Saudi attempt almost gets through after a long ball from the defense but Dheeraj rushes and collects the ball and quickly punts it out.

90' - Three minutes of added time as Indian players hope to hold on to 5-0 and not further add to their misery.

89' - Abhishek Halder tries to get an attack going on the left wing but is again dealt with easily by the host defense who have been like a fortress throughout the 90.

86' - Another chance for Saudis!! The same manner again...A cross from the right met by the central striker, but this time the shot hits the defender and India escape.

85' - FIVE FOR THE HOSTS !! Saudi Arabia have run riot on the Indian goal as they tear the defense apart with a run on the right with the attack going 2-v-1 against Dheeraj who is left taking the ball out of the nets again.

84' - Indian colts try to get the goal but the stability of the Saudi defense proves too much for them to break through and they are again left disappointed.

81' - MAKE IT FOUR!! Saudi Arabia continues their dominance as they score another goal past a hapless Dheeraj Singh. A low cross from the right goes past the rushing Dheeraj and the goal is left wide open for the attacker to tap in for the goal.

80' - The Saudis continue to frustrate the Indians as they have slowed down the tempo with passes and moving the ball around as Indian players frantically press to get a consolation goal at least.

79' - Amarjit Singh is shown the yellow card by the ref for a harsh tackle at the centre of the pitch.

78' - The goal seemed to have been the final in the coffin for the Indian fans as many have started to make their way out of the stadium.

74' - GOAL FOR SAUDI ARABIA!! The hosts score their third as Dheeraj is caught again failing to collect a cross from the left and the loose ball is smashed into the goal by Abdelaziz.

71' - Ashish Rai tries to run a combination on the right wing but the final pass proves too heavy as he is unable to reach it. Out for a goal-kick.

71' - India attack the goal as Stalin takes a long-range effort but hits a defender and the Arabs clear their lines with safety.

68' - Third Substitution for India:
Princeton Rebello is replaced by FIFA U-17 skipper Amarjit Singh Kiyam.

68' - The resulting corner gives the hosts another chance but Anwar Ali clears with force to keep them away from the goal.

67' - Abdulla's freekick hits the box and is almost dealt by India but the ball gets back to him and he forces Dheeraj to make a brilliant save diving to his right!!

65' - Dheeraj Singh is cautioned by the referee for a high-foot challenge just outside the box as he catches the attacker when he ran outside to deal with the ball. Dangerous position for the free-kick!

64' - Saudi Arabia make another in-road into the Indian box but are ruled offside this time.

62' - 2nd Substitution for India:

Rahim Ali makes way for Edmund Rindika in the attack.

60' - India Escape!! Saudi Arabia catch Indian defense sleeping with a long aerial through ball but a last minute effort from Stalin manages to keep the attacker from scoring.

58' - Anwar Ali makes a great last ditch tackle and stops the Saudi counter-attack from developing as he was the last man on the left wing.

57' - Ashish Rai puts in a great throw-in into the box and Rahul manages to get it to Princeton but his shot is no danger to the Saudis as the defense clears with ease.

54' - ALMOST THREE!! India escape another scare as a Saudi shot is cleared off the line by Ashish Rai after Dheeraj was beaten.

53' - Another play from India goes begging as they are unable to get past the sturdy Saudi backline on the left wing.

49' - GOAL!! Saudis double their lead after Dheeraj gets caught as he comes out to fetch a long ball but in turn opens up a clear opportunity for Albikran to score into an empty net.

48' - Ashish Rai does a great roulette along the Saudi right wing and cuts it back but the cross is way too high and goes out for a Saudi goal-kick.

47' - India have started with positive play from the get-go as they have held the ball so far and tried to attack the Saudis with pressure on the right wing.

Substitution for India :
Sanjeev Stalin comes on for Roshan Singh at the left-back position in an early substitution by De Matos.

45' - India kick off proceedings in the second half as they look to equalise the match and nullify the hosts' advantage.

And we're back at the Prince Mohammd B Fahad stadium in Dammam, Saudi Arabia as the teams take the field for the second half.

We are a few minutes from the second half action as Indian colts will aim to get back into the game after an unimpressive showing in the first half.

The India U19s will be looking to fight back in the 2nd half. #BackTheBlue #AsianDream #KSAvIND pic.twitter.com/dWP6skyehg
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) November 4, 2017

HT - Saudia Arabia 1 - India 0

The first half ends with the hosts leading with a solitary goal advantage in the AFC Championship Qualifiers. Saudi Arabia successfully managed to keep the lion share of the possession and not allowed India any chance to get into the game.

India has had some flashes in the middle but have not troubled the Saudi goal with any of their attempyts. Coach De Matos will expect more from his side in the second half.

45+1' - Rahim Ali is put through on the right by a quick-counter attacking move and fights with fervor against the defense but the ball goes out and the referee calls for the halftime.

44' - Roshan Singh does well as he fends off an attack after an aerial ball had come through for Abdulla but the Indian left back held him off, earning a free-kick in the process.

43' - Sahil puts in a long ball to the left wing but it is cleared for a throw-in by the defense and another bid for an Indian attack fails.

41' - Indian attacker Rahim Ali goes down in pain after a crunching tackle as the physios rush onto the field to deal with him.

39' - ALMOST A SECOND!! Saudi winger is put through by a long ball from the defense and Ashish puts him off at the last moment as his shot goes over the post.

38' - Saudi Arabia continue to attack the right side of the Indian defense with long balls as Ashish Rai tries to keep the attackers at bay.

36' - A Saudi player goes down in pain as he is dealt with by the medical staff. The Saudi Arabia fans are in great spirits with their side playing well so far.

35' - A rare attack from India as Rahul dribbles past a couple of players and plays it to Rahim but the Saudi defense crowds him and clears the ball safely.

34' - A ball from the centre puts the left winger of Saudi Arabia through who puts in a delicate ball but the consequent attack is dealt by Anwar Ali who puts it out for a corner.

32' - Jeakson earns a free-kick as he is held back after getting past two defenders in the middle of the pitch. Chance for India to get an attack going!

30' - Dheeraj catches a easy cross from the left as the Saudis continue to dominate proceedings in the midfield keeping India away from possession almost at will.

28' - Dheeraj keeps the Arabians at bay as he deflects a cross from the right for a corner.