IND vs KSA Highlights, Men's Football Asian Games 2023 Round of 16: India ousted of the tournament after 0-2 defeat against Saudi Arabia

An underprepared Indian side walked into the Asian Games 2023 and managed to navigate through the group-stage challenges with a bit of luck and a lot of defensive sturdiness. But against heavyweights Saudi Arabia tonight, the Blue Tigers couldn't maintain their defensive composure throughout the 90 and ultimately were ousted from the competition after a 0-2 defeat. However, Igor Stimac and his men would've plenty to be proud of, considering the preparation or lack of it before the Asiad.

Meanwhile, that's all for Sportskeeda's coverage of India's clash against Saudi Arabia in the Round of 16. This is Sayantan signing off and remember to stay tuned for plenty more updates from the Asian Games 2023.

FULL-TIME: INDIA 0-2 SAUDI ARABIA

Despite a sturdy showing from the Blue Tigers in the first half, Saudi Arabia managed to steal two quickfire goals after the break and what followed was smooth sailing for the Green Falcons. While KSA will now move to the quarter-finals, the Indian contingent will return home with their heads held high.

90' Three minutes of added time to be played.

A BIT OF SHOWBOATING!

89' Saudi Arabia are now basking in the glory and enjoying the occasion. Saleh Waheeb outwits an Indian defender on the right flank with a rainbow flick and continued to juggle the ball into the opposition box, before an Indian defender stepped in.

87' Chances are popping up for Saudi Arabia left and right but Dheeraj's resilience between the sticks and indecisiveness from the Green Falcons have kept the scoreline unaltered.

83' Since those two quickfire goals, India have done well to negate the regular attacking charge from the Green Falcons. The scoreline is still respectable and the Blue Tigers can walk out of here with their heads held high.

79' Rahit Danu replaces the Indian skipper after a dull night at the office.

India 0-2 Saudi Arabia

78' A rare attacking push from India, ignited by Sunil Chhetri's through ball to Rahul KP down the right flank. The latter's shot is however wide off the mark.

India 0-2 Saudi Arabia

75' India have looked out of depth since conceding the second goal of the night.

71' India's composure has taken a beating and Amarjit Singh Kiyam ends up losing the ball cheaply in the midfield. Al Ghamdi gets a shot away but it is off-target.

69' What a surprise! India aren't cautious and now have another player booked. Substitute Ayush Chhetri brings down Saad, who was chasing forward on the break.

69' Narender Gahlot now goes into the referee's books. India will have to be cautious here or they could be a man down.

India 0-2 Saudi Arabia

65' Saudi Arabia makes two changes as well with Aloyayri and Al Sibyani onto the pitch.

62' Triple change for India: Bryce Miranda, Ayush Dev Chhetri, and Azfar Noorani come on for Rahim Ali, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, and Abdul Rabeeh.

India 0-2 Saudi Arabia

61' Sunil Chhetri gets a booking for a late challenge on Al-Nasser.

FLOODGATES HAVE OPENED!

57' India concede a second one in quick succession after Khalil Marran was set through on goal. The attacker managed to dance past Dheeraj Singh and tuck the ball into the open net to secure a two-goal lead for the Green Falcons.

INDIA'S RESISTANCE IS BROKEN!

51' Saudi Arabia have finally taken the elusive lead. A corner is drilled in from the right by Abu Alshamat and the Indian defense is caught napping. Marran, unmarked, rises the highest and heads the ball past a helpless Dheeraj Singh.

Early save from Dheeraj

48' Musab's attempt from a set-piece situation from the right is punched away by an on-rushing Dheeraj Singh.

47' The Green Falcons are flying high once again but India have maintained their composure at the back, with Sana SIngh clearing an early corner.

46' Change for Saudi Arabia: Al-Ghamdi comes on to replace Al-Nasser.

46' THE SECOND HALF IS UDNERWAY!

HALF-TIME ⏳

Some brave defending, and a few counter-attacks, see the two teams head into the tunnel on level terms 🙌

IND 🇮🇳 0-0 🇸🇦 KSA

Watch LIVE on @SonySportsNetwk 📱💻#INDKSA ⚔️ #19thAsainGames 🏅 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ZQ5iQpcEyh
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 28, 2023

HALF-TIME: India 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia came close on multiple occasions to break the deadlock, especially when they struck the crossbar. However, it was the heart of the Blue Tigers that shone through as they managed to keep the Green Falcons at bay in the first half. More of the same will be the order of the day from head coach Igor Stimac.

SANDESH JHINGAN STANDS TALL

45+2' A staggering last-ditch block from Jhingan cements the clean sheet for India in the first half. Siraj Zakaria had an opportunity from the left of the box to put Saudi Arabia ahead, but the veteran defender was having none of it.

45' Early change for India: Samuel Kynshi replaces Gurkirat Singh as Igor Stimac eyes to steady his midfield.

45' Two additional minutes to be played.

DHEERAJ WITH THE SAVE!

44' A few more minutes left for India to come away unscathed in their first 45 minutes against the Green Falcons.

DHEERAJ WITH THE SAVE!

40' Saudi Arabia win another free-kick in the opposition's half and the low attempt from Al Juwayr was parried away by a diving Dheeraj Singh.

36' Rahim Ali tries to stop Saad along the right flank but concedes a free-kick. The Indian international is lucky to come away with a card from that altercation.

35' Rahim Ali was caught out of possession and Saudi managed to catch India on the break down the left flank. The cross drilled into the center but India come out unscathed as Dheeraj managed to control the ball.

INDIA 0-0 SAUDI ARABIA

30' Musab Fahad's free-kick effort is vicious but not quite on the target.

29' Chinglensana Singh becomes the first player to be booked on the night after his lunging challenge on Siraj Zakaria. The Blues will now face a setpiece situation from a threatening area.

25' A lot of half-chances for Saudi Arabia but except for a few poor passes here and there, India would be largely satisfied with the outcome so far.

OFF THE CROSSBAR!

22' Saudi Arabia could've been ahead right there! A long-range dipping effort from Musab Fahad and the ball thumps into the crossbar. Dheeraj was completely beaten there and the Blue Tigers will be thanking their stars.

18' Another long-range effort from the Green Falcons and it's wide of the target. India has managed to be extremely compact so far, and Saudi have been forced to take attempts from outside the box.

FIRST SHOT ON TARGET FOR INDIA

14' Skipper Sunil Chhetri wins possession in the opposition and with no support available decides to have a crack. His attempt from the edge of the box is however gobbled up by Ahmed Al Jubaya, the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper.

CLOSE!

13' Rahul KP is dispossessed in his own half and Aljuwayr's long-range crack narrowly misses the target. Dheeraj Singh is seen immediately pleading to his teammates to avoid such cheap turning of possession.

INDIA 0-0 SAUDI ARABIA

8' Although KSA have been dominating possession, the tempo hasn't been overwhelming for India so far. The Blue Tigers' defense has been able to keep the Green Falcons at bay.

SO FAR SO GOOD!

6' The low block has been working well for India, with Sana Singh and Sandesh Jhingan decisive when it comes to interceptions.

2' The Blue Tigers have opted for a defense-first, compact approach but it will be pivotal for them to maintain the composure throughout the night. Saudi have undoubtedly started on the first foot right from the get-go!

KICK-OFF!

1' India get the ball rolling in the Asian Games Round of 16 clash.

India vs Saudi Arabia: Green Falcons' Playing XI

Ahmed Fahad Al Jubaya (GK); Mohammed Waheed Alshamat, Rayan Mohammed Hamed, Mohammed Alyami, Zakaria Hawsawi; Faisal Abdurahman Alghamdi (C), Saad Fahad Alnasser, Awad Haidar Alnashri, Haitham Mohammed Asiri, Musab Fahad Aljuwayr; Mohammed Khalil Marran.

India vs Saudi Arabia: Blue Tigers' Playing XI

Dheeraj Singh (GK); Lalchungnunga, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh; Abdul Rabeeh, Narender Gahlot, Amarjit Singh, Rahul KP; Sunil Chhetri (C); Rahim Ali, Gurkirat Singh.

Lineups Are Out!

Livestream Details

The Asian Games 2023 Round of 16 clash can be live-streamed on the SonyLiv app/website.

Telecast Details

The game between the Blue Tigers and the Green Falcons will be telecasted on Sony Sports Network.

India vs Saudi Arabia: Head-to-head record

Games played: 3
Saudi Arabia wins: 3
India wins: 0
Draws: 0

Last time India and Saudi Arabia clashed

The last meeting between the two teams was in the AFC Asian Cup back in 2006, when Saudi hammered the Blue Tigers 7-1. Meanwhile, the last time both nations squared off in the Asian Games, the match ended in a solitary-goal victory for Saudi Arabia in the 1982 quarterfinals in New Delhi.

Saudi Arabia's form coming into the fixture

The Green Falcons won two matches against Vietnam and Mongolia while drawing with Iran in Group B. They are one of the heavyweights in the tournament and will be a tremendous challenge for the ill-prepared Indian side.