Al Kathiri hat-trick fires UAE to 5-0 win over India in Asian Games bow

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  • Victorious: The UAE team that beat India.

    A hat-trick from Saeed Al Kathiri helped the UAE commence their Asian Games campaign with a bang as the Whites delivered a 5-0 thrashing of India at the Hwaseong Stadium in South Korea.

    The UAE, who were runners-up in the previous edition of the Games in Guangzhou in 2010 under the guidance of Mahdi Ali, are considered one of the favourites for the gold medal in Korea and they certainly sent out a strong signal of intent with their opening performance in Group G.

    Al Kathiri, the captain and one of three over-age players in the squad along with Bandar Al Ahbabi and Sultan Bargash, was part of the team that won silver in Guangzhou four years ago.

    The Al Wasl striker gave the UAE an early advantage, heading home a corner for the opener in the 13th minute and adding a second two minutes later powerfully connecting with a cross from Al Ahbabi with a deft finish.

    Bani Yas’ Al Ahbabi added a third in the 19th minute, dribbling into the box and finding the roof of the net.

    Al Kathiri scored his fourth 26 minutes from time before an own goal from Sandesh Jhingan stuck the final nail in India’s coffin in the 82nd minute.

    "Thank God, it’s a positive start for us but there’s still a long way to go," Al Kathiri told Sport360°.

    The Emiratis, led by coach Ali Ibrahim, will next face Jordan at the Goyang Stadium on Thursday.

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