Saudi Arabia started their defense of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan in Group D
Saudi Arabia definitely had a tough time against Kyrgyzstan but Saleh Al-Mohammadi’s managed to get over the line by the end. They put pressure in the first half but were unsuccessful in scoring.
Saudi Arabia go behind Japan
With missed chances from Abdullah Radif, Yassen Al-Zubaidi and Marwan Al-Sahafi’s failed to find the net but the breakthrough came three minutes after the restart as Radif cut in from the left side of the penalty area and was brought down by Said Datsiev.
Radif, the top scorer of the 2022 U-20 Arab Cup, scored the penalty to put Saudi Arabia ahead. Kyrgyzstan did have shouts for a penalty of their own with 13 minutes remaining, as Bilmyrza Zhenishbekov went down in the area, but they were waved away.
For the Green Falcons, they showed resilience both in defense and in the way they got away with three points. With the China clash coming on Monday, Saudi Arabia will hope to win and book a ticket to the quarter-finals before facing Japan on the last matchday.
