Rohan Chowdhury in Hangzhou
The round-of-16 clash against Saudi Arabia was India’s most difficult task in this Asian Games campaign. Their senior team were the only ones to defeat Argentina, the world champions, in Qatar, and even with just their Under-23s playing, Saudi Arabia were the far better side on paper at the start of the game. Two expertly taken goals from Mohammed Khalil Maran, a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane at Al-Nassr, emphasised that gulf between the sides, as India’s campaign ended with a fighting, but fairly toothless, display.
From the very beginning, Saudi had control, with the main threat coming from the left flank. in combination with Zakaria Siraj, Al Nasser Fahad, their No. 10, and Aljuwayr Fahad, posed a real threat with long-range efforts, including one that hit the woodwork and bounced clear in the 18th minute.
The Indian defence, led by Sandesh Jhingan with support from Chinglensana Singh, was often heroic, halting a series of Saudi attacks from the flanks to keep the score goalless at half-time. Jhingan, in particular, came up with one timely block or interception after another. India created little of note, save for some sporadic solo runs from Rahul KP, and Sunil Chhetri’s left-footer from distance that was straight at the keeper.
Apart from all the action on the field, the ambience that the fans at the Huanglong Sports Centre managed to create was a real surprise. While entering the stadium, one even doubted whether it was the correct venue for the match, given that such a capacity crowd was not expected for a match between India and Saudi Arabia in China. As the match progressed, the Chinese crowd managed to create a Yuba Bharati Krirangan ambience with the famous ‘Mexican Wave’, only it was not a Kolkata Derby, or an Asian Cup qualifier in India, but a match on foreign soil with mostly neutral spectators.
At the start of the second half, Saudi Arabia upped the tempo, and the goal they sought arrived in the 51st minute. A cross came in from the right and, for once, Jhingan couldn’t get his head to it. Maran did, and there was nothing much Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem in the Indian goal could do.It didn’t take the Saudis much time to double their lead, with Maran released by a delightful through ball. This time, he rounded Dheeraj, and calmly stroked the ball into the net.
What was commendable about Igor Stimac’s India side was the zeal to fight till the end. Rather than trying to limit the damage after conceding two goals, they strove to pull one back and stay in the contest. The fatigue that was visible in the second half against China was no longer there, and the coach had options off the bench too.
Saudi, inevitably, had chances to add to their tally, but Jhingan continued to organise and cajole his fellow defenders, while Dheeraj pulled off a couple of superb saves. For the Blue Tigers, whose very participation in the tournament was the subject of so much unnecessary heartburn, defeat marked the end of the Asian Games road. But the fight they showed augurs well for the days to come.