India’s encounter with Kuwait within the SAFF Championship 2023 led to a 1-1 draw, but it surely was marred by controversies and heated exchanges on the sphere. Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli expressed his disappointment with the refereeing, calling it “very unhealthy” and suggesting that the usual of the event might endure in consequence. A complete of 4 yellow and two crimson playing cards had been proven throughout the match, with even the teaching employees being concerned in altercations.
“Very very unhealthy refereeing, if we proceed with such referees in SAFF Cup the usual will drop,” mentioned Gawli.
Head coach Igor Stimac, who had simply returned from a one-match suspension, was proven a yellow card and later despatched off within the closing moments of the sport. Stimac selected to sit down within the stands as a substitute of heading to the tunnel, prompting additional debate concerning the referee’s selections.
Sahal Abdul Samad, an alternative choice to India, was additionally concerned in an incident the place he was shoved to the bottom by a Kuwait defender, resulting in a confrontation between gamers from each groups.
The tensions escalated when each Rahim Ali and the Kuwaiti defender had been proven straight crimson playing cards for his or her misconduct. The referee added eight minutes of stoppage time because of the delays attributable to the incidents on the pitch.
Within the closing moments, Kuwait managed to attain an injury-time equaliser, additional fueling the heated ambiance as their gamers celebrated the objective in a hostile method, scary Indian gamers and employees within the dugout.
Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli defended Igor Stimac, claiming that the yellow playing cards proven to him had been unjustified. He additionally alleged that the Kuwait gamers verbally abused Stimac, however the referee did not take acceptable motion. Gawli referred to as for a change in the usual of refereeing.
With the 1-1 draw, India completed second in Group A and secured a spot within the semifinals of the SAFF Championship.
Up to date: 28 Jun 2023, 10:31 AM IST