The Hindu : Sport : Al Qahtani's hat-trick does India in

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 17, 2006

Sport

Sport

Al Qahtani's hat-trick does India in

Principal Correspondent

Loss notwithstanding India's performance appreciated

ON SONG: Yasser Al Qahtani (No. 20) scores the second of his three goals. — Photo: SUSHANTA PATRONOBISH

KOLKATA : Saudi Arabia rode on striker's Yasser Al Qahtani's hat-trick to swamp India 3-0 in a rain-drenched group A match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. The loss — third in row for India — technically shut all doors on its aspirations of qualifying to the next stage.

Saudi Arabia netted full six points from its second win to brighten its prospects of qualifying while India continued to remain at the bottom without a point. Even worse, the host had conceded 12 goals without a reply in the three matches played so far.

The scoreline notwithstanding, the host put up a spirited performance. Saudi Arabia had packed 10 players from the squad that played the World Cup finals in Germany in its starting eleven.

Major test

This was the first real international test for India's new chief coach, Bob Houghton.

The first mistake happened right after the start when the Indian stopper-back N.S. Manju lost possession trying a fancy dribble inside own box. Qahtani made the most of the blunder to give Saudi Arabia the lead.

India tried to recover from the early setback by doubling its thrust on the attack. This pried open the opposition defence but forward Manjit Singh saw his attempt from 20 yards flying inches off the target. India suffered another blow in the 20th minute when Qahtani made it 2-0 nodding home a perfectly swerved cross from Mohammad Haider.

The home side continued to try — which brought up interesting variations in attacks that had never been seen in Indian football — but the goal remained elusive.

The trend continued in the second session, though the exchanges had evened out in India's favour. Manjit Singh was wide again from close in the 48th minute.

The visitors went beyond the reach of the host as Qahtani made it 3-0. Manju turned out the weak link in the Indian defence yet again miscuing a clearance to let the Saudi attacker score.

Missed attempts

There was a sign of Indian resurgence after the third goal but despite gaining openings, the host could not score. Houghton said the performance overall was not disheartening.

"We conceded an early goal and that did us in psychologically. We took time to recover but what was encouraging was that the boys kept pushing hard till the end. This leaves us with hopes about a better future.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport