<p>India secured a berth for next year's AFC U-17 Asian Cup despite going down 1-2 to hosts Saudi Arabia in their final qualification match here.</p>.<p>Talal Haji (22nd, 58th) scored a brace to hand Saudi Arabia a 2-0 lead before India scored a consolation goal through Thanglalsoun Gangte (90+5) in the stoppage time at the Prince Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium on Sunday night.</p>.<p>Despite the defeat, the Blue Colts qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 by virtue of being one of the six best second-placed teams across the 10 groups of the qualifying tournament.</p>.<p>Earlier in the competition, India had notched up a hat-trick of wins against Maldives (5-0), Kuwait (3-0) and Myanmar (4-1).</p>.<p>The first half began with high intensity and in six minutes, Gangte received the ball in a dangerous position in the penalty area. However, it was cleared away at the last moment as the striker looked to turn and shoot.</p>.<p>India's best chance of the half came in the 14th minute after Lalpekhlua found Korou Singh with a delightful cross from the left flank. The winger fired his shot on target but it was saved by the Saudi goalkeeper.</p>.<p>From the resulting corner kick, Danny Meitei curled the ball in towards the near post and it almost trickled past the goalline after wreaking havoc in the Saudi defence.</p>.<p>The hosts created scoring opportunities across the first 45 minutes as well, with India goalkeeper Sahil making a couple of sharp saves and Mukul Panwar making an excellent block to deny Nawaf Aljadaani in the 38th minute.</p>.<p>Saudi Arabia scored the only goal of the half on the 22nd-minute mark, with Haji finding the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.</p>.<p>After the break, the hosts created the first major chance as Haji took a direct free-kick from 20 yards but fired it over the crossbar. However, he doubled his side's lead in the 58th minute after scoring from the penalty spot.</p>.<p>Korou came close in the 70th minute with a diving header. Three minutes later, Gangte snuck in a sharp shot at the near post but was denied by a remarkable save by the Saudi Arabia custodian, as India put on a determined late surge.</p>.<p>In the last minute of stoppage time, Gangte put India on the scoreboard as he fired home. </p>
<p>India secured a berth for next year's AFC U-17 Asian Cup despite going down 1-2 to hosts Saudi Arabia in their final qualification match here.</p>.<p>Talal Haji (22nd, 58th) scored a brace to hand Saudi Arabia a 2-0 lead before India scored a consolation goal through Thanglalsoun Gangte (90+5) in the stoppage time at the Prince Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium on Sunday night.</p>.<p>Despite the defeat, the Blue Colts qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 by virtue of being one of the six best second-placed teams across the 10 groups of the qualifying tournament.</p>.<p>Earlier in the competition, India had notched up a hat-trick of wins against Maldives (5-0), Kuwait (3-0) and Myanmar (4-1).</p>.<p>The first half began with high intensity and in six minutes, Gangte received the ball in a dangerous position in the penalty area. However, it was cleared away at the last moment as the striker looked to turn and shoot.</p>.<p>India's best chance of the half came in the 14th minute after Lalpekhlua found Korou Singh with a delightful cross from the left flank. The winger fired his shot on target but it was saved by the Saudi goalkeeper.</p>.<p>From the resulting corner kick, Danny Meitei curled the ball in towards the near post and it almost trickled past the goalline after wreaking havoc in the Saudi defence.</p>.<p>The hosts created scoring opportunities across the first 45 minutes as well, with India goalkeeper Sahil making a couple of sharp saves and Mukul Panwar making an excellent block to deny Nawaf Aljadaani in the 38th minute.</p>.<p>Saudi Arabia scored the only goal of the half on the 22nd-minute mark, with Haji finding the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.</p>.<p>After the break, the hosts created the first major chance as Haji took a direct free-kick from 20 yards but fired it over the crossbar. However, he doubled his side's lead in the 58th minute after scoring from the penalty spot.</p>.<p>Korou came close in the 70th minute with a diving header. Three minutes later, Gangte snuck in a sharp shot at the near post but was denied by a remarkable save by the Saudi Arabia custodian, as India put on a determined late surge.</p>.<p>In the last minute of stoppage time, Gangte put India on the scoreboard as he fired home. </p>