Greetings and welcome to everyone joining us. We will bring to you the build-up as well as live updates from the vital Group D clash between Saudi Arabia and Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Greetings and welcome to everyone joining us. We will bring to you the build-up as well as live updates from the vital Group D clash between Saudi Arabia and Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
The match will kick off at 4:30am IST. The Saudi Arabia vs Trinidad And Tobago, Concacaf Gold Cup clash will be live streamed on the Concacaf YouTube channel in India. It will not be live streamed on any TV channel in the country.
Over in the FIFA Club World Cup, a 10-man Real Madrid beat Pachuca 3-1 courtesy goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Gulder and Federico Valverde. Up next, RB Salzburg take on Al Hilal in Group H at 3:30am IST.
This is how Saudi Arabia line up for today's match in Paradise, Nevada:
And here is Trinidad and Tobago's line-up for the Group D encounter:
The two teams stride out to the pitch along with the match officials and kick-off is imminent. Saudi Arabia's national anthem plays, followed by that of Trinidad and Tobago. Live action to follow right after.
Saudi Arabia attacking from right to left and Trinidad and Tobago from left to right in the first half. The Green Falcons know that a draw could well be enough for them tonight, but they can't risk it and must be targeting a victory.
Trinidad and Tobago open the scoring in the 10th minute! Dante Sealy conjures a sublime left-footer from outside the box to make the Soca Warriors believe. Early days, but if things stay as they stand now, TNT would advance to the quarter-finals alongside USA from Group D.
In the concurrent Group D encounter, Haiti have equalised against United States in the 19th minute via Louicius Deedson. While that in itself is creditable for Haiti, they need a win to make a difference in the qualification scenario and TNT remain second provisionally in the live standings.
The referee blows the half-time whistle after three minutes of added time. TNT retain their slender 1-0 lead, generated courtesy Dante Sealy, and would give it their all to try and keep the scoreline that way in the second half. The Saudi side will be hungry for an equaliser, of course.
The players return and the second half begins. Saudi Arabia now attacking from left to right and Trinidad and Tobago from right to left. The next 45 minutes will be pivotal for both sides' quarter-final hopes.
Saudi Arabia equalise! Feras Albrikan is at the right place at the right time to thump the ball in in the 60th minute, and TNT have it all to do once again. The goal means that the Green Falcons are in second place again in live standings, and will qualify for the quarters if the scoreline stays this way.
United States have scored their second goal against Haiti in the 75th minute, meaning they are in the lead. Les Grenadiers need to score at least twice if they are to dismantle Saudi Arabia from the second spot in Group D, which appears unlikely. TNT, meanwhile, need just one goal to upstage the Saudis.
Seven minutes of added time at the end of the second half, which means Trinidad and Tobago still have ample time to try and find a winner in this enthralling encounter.
What a dramatic end to this face-off. Saudi Arabia just about hold on, and the match ends 1-1 after seven minutes of added time. This draw, paired with USA's 2-1 win over Haiti, means the Green Falcons have secured their passage to the last-eight stage of the competition.
It is heartbreak for the Soca Warriors, however, as they just fall short of qualifying. They finish third in Group D with two points and their journey in the Concacaf Gold Cup ends here.