It was a tough, fought-out battle between a superior Iraqi side and an emerging Indian side where the Usood al-Rafidayn came out on top after winning 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular time. India fielded a Chettri-less starting 11, with Manvir Singh replacing the Indian captain and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh leading in his absence.
A beautiful through ball from Sahal Abdul Samad put Naorem Mahesh on the perfect run into the box, as he slotted it past the keeper at the near post in 16th-minute. Iraq soon equalized through an Ali Al Ahmadi penalty after the ball caught the outstretched hand of Sandesh Jhingan inside the box. India retook the lead in the 51st minute when Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hasan fumbled a shot from Manvir Singh.
India seemed to be defending well until; Iraq received a soft penalty after Aymen Ghadhban was squeezed by two defenders. The drama continued as Zidane Iqbal got a straight red in the 93rd minute after an elbow to the face of Brandon Fernandes, but India couldn’t take advantage of the extra man as the match went into penalties. Brandon Fernandes took the first penalty and hit the post as the ball trickled away from the goal. All Iraqi penalty takers sent Gurpreet Singh Sandhu the wrong way as Iraq advanced to the finals.
Iraq looked threatening every time they attacked, but India’s centerback duo of Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali defended well, especially in the air as Iraq kept putting multiple crosses in the penalty box. Sahal and Anirudh Thapa were India’s sources of creativity going forward, with Sahal assisting the first goal and Thapa providing many key passes.
Iraq will next face the winner of the second semifinal between Thailand and Lebanon, which is scheduled on Thursday, September 7 at 7:00 p.m. IST.
