The Indian football team, that is ranked 100th in the world FIFA Ranking, put up brilliant fight against the 70th FIFA Ranking side Iraq in the Semi-final 1 match of the King's Cup, but unfortunately the Indian National football team lost the match on penalty shootout after drawing the match 2-2.
Indian football team lose on penalties against 70th FIFA Ranking team Iraq in King's Cup 2023
The 49th edition of the King's Cup officially began today with the big match between the Iraq football team and the Indian football team in the Semi-final 1, the winner of which will face the winner semi-final 2 between hosts Thailand and Lebanon.
The match against Iraq was one of the most toughest opponent the Indian football team faced in the recent times. Team India took the field without the services of the captain of the team Sunil Chhetri. In his absence, it was goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who wore the captain's armband.
Team India, surprising everyone, scored the first goal of the match as Naorem Mahesh Singh applied the perfect finish to a perfect through ball from midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad. India took the lead in just the 17th minute of the match. However, Iraq equalized through a penalty ten minutes later. Iraq player's attempt hit the ball on Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan's hand, and eventually Ali Al-Hamadi made no mistake and beat Gurpreet to make it 1-1.
The score remained the same till the half-time break. Team India once again took the lead in the match through a huge mistake from the Iraq goalkeeper. Akash bombed forward with the ball down the right side of the pitch. He whipped the ball, but the goalkeeper gathered the ball, however, calamity happened as the ball slipped out of the keeper's hand and eventually went in for a own goal. India took the lead in the match once again in the 51st minute.
The Indian defenders displayed some great defensive workrate while Team India went on occasional attack. But eventually, in the 80th minute mark, both Sandesh Jhingan and Nikhil Poojary attempt to clear the ball from India's box, but rather fouled the Iraq player and gave away a penalty. Aymen Hussein scored this time to bring Iraq back to level field.
That's how the match officially ended with 2-2 scoreline. However, a penalty was needed to determine the winner who will progress to the final. Team India got the first attempt, but unfortunately, Brandon Fernandes' shot hit the post. While Iraq scored all 5 of their penalties, the next 4 Indian players also scored, but because of the first shot being missed, India eventually lost 5-4 in the penalty shootout and Iraq has progressed to the final of the King's Cup 2023.
Indian football team next match: King's Cup 2023: India vs Lebanon
The Indian football team's upcoming match in the King's Cup 2023 will be against the losing team of Semi-Final 2 to be played between hosts Thailand and Lebanon. Update: Thailand have beaten Lebanon 2-1 to progress to the final, India will Lebanon on the 10th of September.
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