“We have written to FIFA Head of Qualifiers, AFC Head of Referees, and the match commissioner, regarding the grave supervision error that practically cost us a place in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 3. Given its severity, We call upon concerned officials for a thorough investigation. We have urged them to explore the possibilities of sporting compensation to address the injustice and we trust that FIFA and AFC will take necessary steps,” he added.
We’ll leave it here!#INDQAT #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/5KhtyOfrvS
— FanCode (@FanCode) June 11, 2024
The controversial goal in question came in the 73rd minute of the match in which India were leading 1-0 at the time. Abdullah Alahrak’s free-kick saw Yousef Ayem attempt a header, which was saved by India skipper and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Advertisement
As Gurpreet lay on the ground, the ball seemed to have crossed the line, but Hashmi Hussein kicked it into the field of play with Aymen slotting it into the net. South Korean referee Kim Woo-Sung did not spot it and allowed the goal. The decision could not be reviewed due to the absence of VAR. India would ultimately lose the match 2-1 ending their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
India coach Igor Stimac later expressed his dismay by stating that the “irregular” goal killed his team’s dream.
Sandhu called it an “unfortunate result” demonstrated that “no one will hand us anything, we have to take it!”
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
