World Cup finalist Saudi Arabia lived up to their reputation thrashing India 3-0, aided by a brilliant hat-trick from striker Yasser Al-Qahtani in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifying match at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday.

With a number of world-cuppers in their ranks, the Saudis proved their superiority over the Indians despite slippery ground conditions due to a steady drizzle throughout the match.

The winners scored all the goals in the first half of the match.

The Baichung Bhutia-led Indians, however, staged a remarkable fightback in the second half and came very near to scoring on a number of occasions taking advantage of the favourable home conditions, but poor markmanship let them down.

Manjit Singh was outstanding in the front for the home side as he time and again troubled the Saudi defence with his repeated attempts.

Saudi Arabia, which had won the AFC Cup three times in 1984, 1988 and 1996, have thus scored their second straight win after handing out a 4-0 drubbing to Yemen in their first match earlier to now head the four-team group-A.

India's Cup campaign so far has been disastrous as they slumped to their third consecutive defeat almost ensuring their elimination from the group level as only two teams would make it to the final round.

India had earlier suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat at the hands of formidable Japan [Images] which was followed by a 0-3 defeat to Yemen in New Delhi.

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