New Delhi: Football is a mixed bag of emotions for both sides of a coin. On some days you lose while on other days you triumph on the pedestal. However, things become nasty and uglier when despite the presence of so many technologies there are at times genuine human errors which can be avoided. At times, these mistakes cost a lot for the teams on the receiving end with a lot riding on the shoulders of the players.
India is Qatar’s latest victim pic.twitter.com/AKXzZ4MPPV
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) June 11, 2024
Something similar has happened with the India and the Qatar game. It was a World Cup qualifiers game and a win would have seen the Blue Tigers through to the third round of the World Cup. The rash decision of the referees came in the second half of the game which was going on at the Jassim Bin Hammad Stadium on Tuesday.
No TV channel is broadcasting live World Cup qualifier match of India vs Qatar, so I bought FanCode subscription to watch this important match for Indian Football.
And till now it’s all worth it❤️
Lallianzuala Chhangte you are special buddy 🙏🏻
What a player! What a goal!… pic.twitter.com/LsvWCtitws
— Bruce Wayne (@_Bruce__007) June 11, 2024
What was the controversy?
Team India was leading Qatar 1-0 courtesy of a goal from winger Lalianzuala Chhangte in the 37th minute. However, in the 73rd minute, Yousef Aymen struck the controversial equaliser which set the scoreline evenly poised at 1-1. Subsequently, Ahmed Al-Rawi, the Qatari CF struck the penultimate blow to take the match 2-1.
On the other hand, Kuwait struck against Afghanistan (1-0) meaning India is out of the World Cup Qualifiers and will have to wait for 6 years before they get their next shot at the FIFA WC.
After the match, Aymen’s controversial goal has drawn a lot of social media outrage and criticism. According to a viral video:
Rank 34th Qatar did an open robbery against Rank 121st India even when Qatar is already qualified for 3rd round.
Seriously what a pathetic refereeing 🤡
Absolutely heartbreaking moment for Indian fans right now💔#QATIND #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/LjeupL34RD— Bruce Wayne (@_Bruce__007) June 11, 2024
IS THIS HOW YOU WANT TO WIN QATAR ?!
PATHETIC REFERRING! DISGUSTING SPORTSMANSHIP!!! pic.twitter.com/Qbqw6mf9Ep
— IFTWC – Indian Football (@IFTWC) June 11, 2024
The ball was already out of the touchline which meant a Qatari corner. However, Al-Hashmi backheeled the ball out of the touchline for a simple tap-in for Aymen. The goal was given in favour of Qatar. The Qataris burst into a joyous celebration while the Indian team protested at the gross and horror misjudgement.
However, with no VAR in place, none of the officials paid any heed to the vehement protests and India eventually lost the match due to “pathetic refereeing!”
