India 2 (4)-(5) 2 Iraq: Lions edge past Blue Tigers in penalties to qualify for King’s Cup Final

India vs Iraq: Iraq completed a remarkable comeback, defeating India on penalties to secure a spot in the King’s Cup semifinals. India had taken the lead twice but couldn’t hold on as Iraq advanced. Aymen Ghadhban equalized from the penalty spot after Jalal Hassan’s own goal had briefly put India ahead just after halftime. Ali Al-Hamadi also scored from the penalty spot to level the match. Mahesh Singh Naorem opened the scoring for the Indian football team. Naorem Mahesh received a fantastic through pass from Ashique, executed a perfect move in the box, and slotted it past the goalkeeper at the near post.

India vs Iraq Starting XI

India XI: Gurpreet Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Manvir Singh, Jeakson Singh, Mahesh Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Ashique Kuruniyan.

Iraq XI: Jalal Hassan, Hussein Ali, Rebin Sulaka, Frans Dhia Putros, Merchas Doski, Osama Rashid, Amir Al Ammari, Hussein Ali, Ibrahim Bayesh, Bashar Resan, Ali Al-Hamadi

India vs Iraq Preview:

After winning three titles in a row this year, Igor Stimac and his team will be hoping to be as prepared as possible for their match against Iraq. They are the best team in this tournament, ranked 70th in the world. They recently defeated Qatar and Oman and won the 2023 Gulf Cup in January of this year.

Sunil Chhetri, India’s skipper, will be absent from the Kings Cup. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who has 62 international caps, will be an important figure in India’s goalkeeping. Anwar and Jhingan will also be essential in the defence against Iraq. However, the Blue Tigers have also travelled without stalwart Amrinder Singh and Subashish Bose.

The highest-ranked team in the contest is Iraq, which is ranked 70 in the world. India is ranked No. 99, Lebanon is No. 100, while the hosts Thailand are ranked No. 113. In a 2010 friendly match in Baghdad, India fell 2-0 against Iraq.

For the fourth time, the Indian football team will compete in the King’s Cup in Thailand. India last participated in the competition in 2019, losing to Curaçao in the semifinal before defeating Thailand’s hosts 1-0 to take home the bronze medal. In 1977, India made its first King’s Cup appearance and took home the bronze medal. After they had won victories over Singapore, Indonesia, and the Republic of Korea. India was disqualified in the group stage in 1981.

Match Details:

Match: India vs Iraq

Date: 7th September 2023

Venue:  700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Kick off: 4.00 PM

Live Streaming: India vs Iraq Live Streaming on FIFA+ TV

Live Telecast: King’s Cup Live Telecast will be on Eurosport

Indian Football Team 21-member squad for the 49th King’s Cup 2023:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Gurmeet Singh.

Defenders: Asish Rai, Nikhil Poojary, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Lalchungnunga, Akash Mishra

Midfielders: Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Brandon Fernandes, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Rohit Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Rahul KP.