A Sunil Chhetri-less India conceded a late objective off a debatable penalty to overlook out on their first ever win over higher-ranked Iraq, who received the King’s Cup semifinal conflict by way of penalty shootout right here on Thursday.
India will tackle Lebanon within the bronze-medal playoff, which might be adopted by the summit conflict between Iraq and Thailand on Sunday.
In the opposite semifinal on the 700th Anniversary Stadium, Thailand defeated Lebanon 2-1.
India have been main 2-1 until the 79th minute when the referee awarded a tender penalty to Iraq after their striker Aymen Ghadhban was squeezed by two defenders contained in the field throughout a tussle to get on to a excessive cross.
It didn’t seem like a clear-cut penalty however Ghadhban himself stepped as much as take the kick from the spot and scored to degree the match 2-2 and take it to the penalty shootout.
Iraq then received 5-4 within the shootout with Brandon Fernandez failing to attain as his kick hit the submit and went out.
The defeat marked the tip of India’s spectacular unbeaten streak of 12 matches, as they suffered their first lack of the yr.
It was a creditable present by the Indian group, which was with out their talismanic striker and captain Chhetri, who missed the event after changing into a father lately.
India performed on equal phrases in opposition to Iraq, ranked seventieth within the FIFA chart (as in opposition to their 99th), for many a part of the match.
Earlier, Mahesh Naorem gave India the lead within the sixteenth minute earlier than Karim Ali equalised within the twenty eighth minute, additionally from a penalty objective.
India took the lead within the 51st minute with Iraq captain and goalkeeper Jalal Hasan conceding an personal objective.
Iraq have been decreased to 10 males within the damage stoppage time as Zidane Iqbal was despatched off for elbowing Brandon however India couldn’t capitalise on that because the regulation time ended inside a minute after that.
The early phases of the match showcased India’s willpower to make historical past. Naorem ignited the Indian followers’ hopes when he discovered the again of the web, exploiting a chic cross from Sahal Abdul Samad.
It was a second of brilliance as Naorem deceived goalkeeper Jalal Hasan and slotted the ball previous him on the close to submit.
However, Iraq swiftly responded, drawing degree from the penalty spot.
Ali calmly transformed the spot-kick after Sandesh Jhingan was penalised for a handball.
Iraq continued to press and got here near taking the lead, solely to be thwarted by India’s vigilant goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
The second half started with a twist that favoured India.
A uncommon mistake by Iraq’s goalkeeper Hasan gifted India the lead.
Akash Mishra despatched in a low and highly effective cross, which was mishandled by Hasan and the ball trickled into the web.
With India forward 2-1, they shifted their focus to defence, placing up a resolute barrier that denied Iraq a lot room to manoeuvre.
However, a second penalty for Iraq within the eightieth minute breathed life into the competition.
Aymen Ghadhban earned the spot-kick after an aerial duel with Nikhil Poojary and Jhingan. Ghadhban transformed, levelling the rating as soon as once more. India’s defence held agency regardless of Iraq’s late offensive surge. The damage time noticed Iraq being decreased to 10 males as Zidane Iqbal acquired a crimson card for a reckless problem on Brandon. But there was hardly any time for India to take benefit because the match went right into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
The shootout was a check of nerves, nevertheless it in the end favoured Iraq, who transformed all their penalties to safe a spot within the last.
Brandon’s missed penalty was a uncommon blemish in an in any other case excellent efficiency by the Indian group.
Before Thursday’s sport, India had performed Iraq seven instances with the latter successful six instances, whereas one sport had led to a draw. The groups final performed a global pleasant in November 2010 the place Iraq received 2-0.