India vs China Asian Games 2023 Live scores and updates

That's all for the live coverage of India's opening clash against China in the Asian Games 2023. This is Sayantan signing off until the next time.

India's Asian Games 2023 debut ended in disappointment as they suffered a convincing 5-1 defeat to China at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou. The Red Dragons dominated the game from the start, exploiting India's frailties in the wide areas due to the absence of conventional full-backs in the lineup. Despite a valiant effort from Indian goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh, China took the lead in the 17th minute with Tianyi Gao scoring the competition's first goal.India showed glimpses of promise, with captain Sunil Chhetri coming close to a spectacular goal.

Gurmeet Singh also redeemed himself by saving a penalty, and Rahul KP leveled the proceedings right before the half-time break. But China continued to assert their dominance, scoring four goals in the second half as India's defense faltered and fatigue set in. Despite the heavy defeat, India's coach Igor Stimac can be optimistic about their chances in the upcoming matches against Bangladesh and Myanmar as they aim to progress in the tournament.

Read the match report for the clash here.

FULL-TIME: CHINA 5-1 INDIA

90+3' GOOALLL!

Fang Hao who has been incredibly effective since coming on, makes it 5-0 for China with a strike replicating Rahul KP's from the first half.

90' Four minutes of additional time remaining.

90' Rohit Danu threads an inch-perfect through ball to set up Vincy Barretto, but the latter's effort is blocked by a crunching challenge from a Chinese defender.

85' Double change for India: Rohit Danu and Samuel Kynshi replace Sunil Chhetri and Amarjit Singh Kiyam.

81' Another chance falls China's way but Tao, who's on a hattrick, miscues the volleyed effort.

75' THE FLOODGATES HAVE OPENED UP!

It's brutal out there for the Blue Tigers. The warm, humid conditions aren't helping the situation and fatigue has been settling in. Jhingan was robbed out of possession by Fang Hao before he placed the ball for Qianglong to smash home.

74' China strikes the post!

It's complete shambles at the back for India and amidst a flurry of Chinese efforts, one strikes the post.

72' CHINA ARE RUNNING AWAY NOW!

The Blue Tigers allow enough room for Haijian Wang to take a crack from a distance but Gurmeet managed to parry away the initial effort. However, Qianglong Tao was perfectly positioned to tuck home their third goal of the night.

It's 3-1 now and India have looked completely out of depth in the second half.

69' A corner for India but Rahul KP's delivery is undercooked as it is comfortably booted away by the Chinese defenders.

65' The lack of practice before playing the all-important fixture is becoming evident every passing minute. It's Sumit Rathi who has gone down now.

60' SUBSTITUTION: Vincy Barretto comes on for Bryce Miranda.

59' Ayush Dev Chhetri has been booked for a late challenge on an opposition attacker.

58' Bryce Miranda has gone down now with what seems like a cramp. It isn't a surprise given the shift he has put in so far in the warm conditions.

54' How does Igor Stimac react now? Does he make his planned substitutions in advance? React to the goal or continue with the approach his current lineup is taking?

51' CHINA BACK IN THE LEAD!

The Indian defenders are caught napping once again as they fail to pressure Weijung Dai, who had acres of space just outside the box. The midfielder selected a favorable shooting angle and struck a vicious low strike, beating Gurmeet on the far post. The hosts reclaim the lead and India have only themselves to blame.

49' HIGH AND WIDE!

Another half-chance falls India's way after a resilient run from Bryce Miranda. The winger set up skipper Sunil Chhetri, but the veteran forward's effort was skywards.

47' China string a few passes together before Yang Liu drills in a delicious cross into the Indian box, but his overcooked.

46' SECOND-HALF UNDERWAY!

The Blue Tigers get the ball rolling.

HALF-TIME: CHINA 1-1 INDIA

Returning to the Asian Games 2023 after a nine-year hiatus, India's first half was an emotional rollercoaster. After conceding an early goal in the 17th minute, the Blue Tigers looked in shambles. Soon after Gurmeet Singh gave away a penalty, but the custodian salvaged his error with a stunning penalty save. The moment ignited the ill-prepared Indian outfit as they started to create some half-chances.

However, it was right before the half-time break that a stunning strike from Rahul KP restored parity in the most unlikely circumstances.

45+2' GOOOOOAAAALLLL!

Maicon would be proud! Super proud. Rahul KP races down the right flank and for a moment it seems like he might have squandered the shooting angle. But for an improbable angle, the Kerala Blasters winger whipped a low effort that bamboozled the Chinese custodian and crept into the net after kissing the second post.

The parity has been restored and completely against the run of play. Without even a minute of per-match training and plenty of uncertainty, no one would've hoped for a similar scoreline at half-time. But it is happening.

45' Three minutes of injury time added on!

39' A neat delivery from the corner and Gurmeet Singh spills a regulation catch. However, there were no opposition attackers to pounce on the loose ball and the Indian shot-stopper managed to latch on to it on the second try.

35' India have shown some intent, pressing high up the pitch but China have been able to comfortably play out from the back.

28' India have looked a lot more proactive since the penalty save from Gurmeet. A few half-chances have gone their way so far but Stimac's men will need to be far more cohesive in the middle of the park. A wild effort from Rahim Ali is the best the visitors have to show for all their initiative so far.

24' PENALTY SAVED!

Gurmeet Singh salvages himself as he denies Chinese skipper Zhu Chenjie from the spot. This might be the moment of inspiration the Blue Tigers needed.

23' PENALTY FOR CHINA!

Ayush Dev Chhetri plays a loose back pass and Gurmeet Singh is forced to rush out of the box, bringing down Tan Long while doing so. The referee points to the spot immediately.

17' GOOOAALLL!

After complete domination by the Red Dragons, India's resilient defense is finally breached as Gao Tianyi breaks the deadlock. From a corner situation, Gao pumps home the first goal of the night from inside the six-yard box.

1' KICK-OFF!

China to get us underway in this Group A encounter.

China XI: Han Jiaqi (GK), Liu Yang, Jiang Shenlong, Zhu Chenjie (C), Wang Zhenao, Xu Haoyang, Wang Haijian, Gao Tianyi, Tao Qianglong, Dai Weijun, Tan Long

India XI: Gurmeet (GK), Lalchungnunga, Sandesh Jhingan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Sumit Rathi, Amarjit Singh, Rahim Ali, Rahul KP, Sunil Chhetri (C), Bryce Miranda, Abdul Anjukandan

LINEUPS ARE OUT

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the Indian men's football team's opening clash in the Asian Games 2023 against heavyweights China. This is Sayantan and I'll be taking you through the encounter that will unravel at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China.

India vs China Asian Games 2023 Live scores and updates

The Indian national team will face China in their group-stage opener of the Asian Games 2023 on Tuesday, September 19.