Haroune Camara of Saudi Arabia scored a hat-trick as they knocked China out with a score of 4-3 in a final 16 tie of the men's soccer competition at the Asian Games on Friday.
Saudi Arabia looked more dangerous from the start, threatening China's shaky defense constantly, and their attack bore fruit at the 16th minute when forward Camara was put on a solo run with a through ball from midfield. He deftly flicked the ball past helpless Chinese goalkeeper Chen Wei.
Saudi Arabia made it 2-0 at the 29th minute through Saad Alselouli who finished their fluid attack with an angled shot.
Four minutes later, Camara scored again when he outpaced his marker to send home a long pass from teammate. He completed the hat-trick at the 60th minute with a powerful shot.
Chinese players finally found their touch in the final 15 minutes. Yao Junsheng pulled one back for China with a direct free-kick at the 81st minute.
China's Huang Zichang competes with Saudi Arabia's player during the match. /VCG Photo
Huang Zichang, who came on at the 59th minute to replace injured forward Zhang Yuning, scored a late goal at the 89th minute. China's last goal came at the final minute of injury time through Wei Shihao who ran to a pass and fired the ball in.
The loss means China were knocked out in the round of sixteen for the fifth time at the Asian Games.
Saudi Arabia will face the winner of the match between Japan and Malaysia in the quarterfinals.