Kolkata: Striker Yasser Al Qahtani scored a hat-trick to spur former champions Saudi Arabia to a 3-0 victory over India in an Asian Cup Group A qualifier on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Qahtani netted in the second and 20th minutes to before completing his hat-trick seven minutes after resumption as Saudi Arabia made light of a soggy Salt Lake stadium pitch in steady downpour.
It was Saudi Arabia's second straight victory in the group where champions Japan, who thrashed India 6-0 in their opener, face Yemen at Niigata later on Wednesday.
India suffered their third straight defeat to remain at the bottom of the group.
Qahtani whipped in a left-wing cross from close range following a defensive lapse and then powerfully headed in a right-wing cross from Haider Ameen after being left unmarked.
He drove in his third past hapless goalkeeper Sandip Nandy after a neat passing move down the middle, minutes after captain Hussain Sulaimani's chip deflected off the far upright.
India, playing their first international under British coach Bob Houghton, struggled to create clear-cut chances against a strong Saudi team featuring most of the players from their the 2006 World Cup campaign.
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