India narrowly loses to Iraq in penalty shootout after controversial penalty
India denied by late penalty in controversial King’s Cup match
India came close to registering their first-ever win over a higher-ranked Iraq but were denied by a controversial penalty in the King’s Cup on Thursday.
Playing without Sunil Chhetri, India took the lead in the 16th minute through Mahesh Naorem Singh before Karim Ali equalised just before the half-hour mark from the penalty spot. India regained the lead in the 51st minute with Iraq captain and goalkeeper Jalal Hasan conceding an own goal.
Iraq were reduced to 10 men in injury time as Zidane Iqbal was sent off for elbowing Brandon Fernandez, but India could not capitalize on that as regulation time ended within a minute.
The match went to a penalty shootout, which Iraq won 5-4 after Brandon Fernandez missed his spot-kick.
The loss ended India’s 11-match unbeaten streak this year, but they still have a chance to claim the third place as they will compete in the playoff match on Sunday.
