Poor refereeing cost India a historic entry into the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as Qatar emerged 2-1 winners on Tuesday.
India initially led through Lallianzuala Chhangte's 37th-minute goal, but the game changed when the referee allowed Yousef Aymen's 73rd-minute equaliser despite the ball appearing to go out of play.
Qatar then secured victory with Ahmed Al-Rawi's 85th-minute goal.
India's hopes were high after leading 1-0 at halftime, with Kuwait and Afghanistan goalless in the other match. However, the controversial decision and Al-Rawi's subsequent strike shattered the Indian dream in minutes.
Eid Al-Rashidi scored the winner for Kuwait in the 81st minute, allowing Qatar and Kuwait to progress to the second round.
Playing soon after the international retirement of Sunil Chhetri, India, ranked 121, was not expected to perform well. However, Igor Stimac's team surprised many with Chhangte's goal. Chhangte, a 27-year-old winger from Mizoram, scored after receiving a pass from Brandon Fernandes, marking his eighth goal as India's highest-scoring active player.
Indian supporters were present in large numbers and often outcheered the home crowd.
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made crucial saves early on, and Mehtab Singh blocked a goal-line shot by Ahmed Alrawi, keeping India competitive.
India's forwards and midfielders pressed Qatar's defence effectively, creating several scoring opportunities.
In the 25th minute, Jeakson Singh played Rahim Ali through behind Qatar's defence, but his cross missed Chhangte and Manvir Singh.
Manvir's 31st-minute effort was also saved. Chhangte intercepted a pass, played a one-two with Brandon, and passed to Rahim, who was just short. Chhangte eventually scored after a through pass from Brandon.
In the second half, India shifted to a mid-block defence, allowing Qatar to exploit half-space channels.
Despite substitutions and counterattacks, Qatar equalised through Ayman, despite Indian protests about the ball being out of play.
Jay Gupta and Liston Colaco had chances, but Alrawi's goal in the 85th minute sealed the match for Qatar.
(PTI)
NS-31 astronauts celebrate at the crew capsule after a successful flight to spaceBlue Origin
Astronaut Dr. Richard Scott during training at Launch Site OneBlue Origin
New Shepard booster separates from crew capsule during NS-29Blue Origin
Astronaut Gayle King celebrates a successful mission to spaceBlue Origin
Astronaut Jesús Calleja at apogeeBlue Origin
Astronaut Elaine Chia Hyde at apogeeBlue Origin
Astronaut Elaine Chia Hyde during training at Launch Site OneBlue Origin
New Shepard lifts off from Launch Site One Blue Origin
The New Shepard booster nears touchdown during NS-29Blue Origin
New Shepard on the launch pad prior to NS-31Blue Origin
In this drone view an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants makes its way towards England in the English Channel, August 6, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)
REUTERS
Sunder Katwala is the director of thinktank British Future and the author of the book How to Be a Patriot: The must-read book on British national identity and immigration.
A screenshot of Aimee Lou Wood's Instagram story, where she calls out SNL's parody as "mean and unfunny" Instagram Screengrab