'Someone decided to rob' - Igor Stimac slams referee after India's 5-4 penalty loss against Iraq in King's Cup 2023

Igor Stimac, Indian Football Team (Image Credit: Twitter)

The Indian men's football team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Iraq via penalties in the semi-finals of the King’s Cup 2023 football tournament at the 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Thursday (September 7). A controversial penalty in the 79th minute denied India a chance to record their first win against 99th-ranked Iraq.

The Blue Tigers were leading 2-1 till the referee awarded the opponent a soft penalty after two Indian defenders squeezed their striker Aymen Ghadhban inside the box during a scramble for a high cross. Although it did not seem like a clear penalty, the decision went against India. Ghadhban himself took the spot kick and netted the ball comfortably to level the match 2-2.

According to the tournament's rules, the result will be decided via penalty shootout if the scores are level in the regulation time, meaning there will be no extra time. With India's midfielder Brandon Fernandez failing to score, Iraq claimed a 5-4 victory in the shootout.

Our boys left everything on that pitch: Igor Stimac 

Speaking after the match, Indian football team coach Igor Stimac lashed out at the referee who awarded the penalty which cost them the match. The Croatian coach also praised his side, which was without their talisman Sunil Chhetri, for displaying an exceptional performance.

"Our boys left everything on that pitch tonight and I am immensely proud of them! Someone decided to rob them from winning tonight but the time will come sooner than many expect that even referees will not be able to stop my boys winning such games!" Stimac said.

This loss has marked the end of the Men in Blue's unbeaten streak of 12 matches, as they suffered their first loss of the year. of The Manveer Singh-led side will take on Lebanon for third place on Sunday, while Iraq will face Thailand in the summit clash. When the last time India played in the King's Cup in 2019, they won a bronze medal after defeating Thailand 1-0.