Kings Cup: India loses to Iraq in penalty shootout, bows out of semis
Mahesh Naorem and an own goal put India ahead, while Iraq equalized twice with penalties. The match ended 2-2, and Iraq won the shootout to reach the Kings Cup final.
India lost to Iraq in a penalty shootout at the King's Cup semi-final last week. (AIFF)
In the 16th minute, Mahesh Naorem put India in the lead, but Iraq equalized with a penalty in the 27th minute.
In the 52nd minute, Iraq's goalkeeper Hasan's own goal gave India an unexpected lead, but Iraq leveled again with a penalty in the 79th minute. With the score 2-2, the match went straight to penalty shootout.
Brandon Fernandes missed India's first kick, while Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Suresh Singh, and Rahim Ali converted their penalties. Iraq remained composed and scored all five of their kicks, ultimately winning the shootout and securing their place in the Kings Cup final.
As it happened:
Bonyan converts the fifth for Iraq, and they're through to the finals.
India 2(4)-2(5) Iraq