India men’s football team go down to Iraq via penalties

CHIANG MAI: The Indian men’s football team lost to Iraq 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the semifinal match ended at 2-2 at the 700th Anniversary Stadium, here on Thursday.

With the score level at 2-2 after the regulation time, the teams went into the penalty shootout as there is provision for no extra time in the tournament. Naorem Mahesh (17’) scored the opening goal for India while the other was accounted for through Jalal Hassan Hachim’s own goal (51’) in regulation time. However, Brandon Fernandes missed the spot-kick opportunity as India suffered its eighth loss in eight meetings against Iraq.

The 99th rank Indian football team came into the tournament without its charismatic skipper Sunil Chhetri, who opted out for personal reasons.

The Indian men’s football team will next play the second losing semifinalists from the match between hosts Thailand and Lebanon in the third-place match on Sunday. IANS

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