Indian Football Captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Critical of Second Penalty Awarded to Iraq
Indian football team captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu expressed his disappointment with the second penalty awarded to Iraq after his side’s heartbreaking 4-5 defeat in the King’s Cup semifinal. The Indians were on the verge of their first-ever victory over Iraq, leading 2-1 until the 79th minute when a debatable penalty was given to Iraq. The penalty, which resulted from a tussle between striker Ghadhban and two defenders inside the box, did not appear to be a clear foul. However, Ghadhban took the kick and scored, ultimately leading to a penalty shootout.
A Questionable Penalty Decision
Sandhu, speaking to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), expressed his dissatisfaction with the penalty decision. He believed that the team could have won the game if it weren’t for the questionable call. Despite the disappointment, Sandhu commended the overall performance of the team, especially considering the absence of veteran striker Sunil Chhetri. He emphasized the need for the team to believe in themselves and remain patient and positive, while also acknowledging the importance of not giving away chances to the opposition.
“We need to be humble and make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes that allowed Iraq to come back and win the game,” Sandhu said. He emphasized the importance of not giving away opportunities, even if they appear out of the team’s control. Sandhu stressed that if India wants to become a top team in Asia and the world, they need to minimize their defensive mistakes and take advantage of every opportunity they get.
Remaining Optimistic and Setting Goals
The defeat against Iraq marked the end of India’s unbeaten streak of 12 games. However, Sandhu remains confident in his team and believes that they will continue to improve. He highlighted the fact that most of the players in the team have been playing together for a long time and are maturing at the right age. Sandhu sees great potential for the team and firmly believes that the sky’s the limit for India.
“We just need to believe in ourselves as a team,” Sandhu stated. He emphasized the team’s commitment to pushing their limits, breaking barriers, and moving forward in Asia. Sandhu signed off with a message of determination and ambition, stating that India is working tirelessly day in and day out to achieve their goals in the world of football.
Upcoming Matches
India will now face Lebanon in the bronze-medal playoff, while Iraq and Thailand will compete in the title clash on Sunday.
