India’s encounter with Kuwait within the SAFF Championship 2023 resulted in a 1-1 draw, however it was marred by controversies and heated exchanges on the sector. Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli expressed his disappointment with the refereeing, calling it “very unhealthy” and suggesting that the usual of the event might undergo in consequence. A complete of 4 yellow and two pink playing cards have been proven in the course of 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 last moments of the sport. Stimac selected to take a seat within the stands as an alternative 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 have been proven straight pink 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 last moments, Kuwait managed to attain an injury-time equaliser, additional fueling the heated ambiance as their gamers celebrated the purpose in a hostile method, upsetting Indian gamers and employees within the dugout.
Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli defended Igor Stimac, claiming that the yellow playing cards proven to him have been unjustified. He additionally alleged that the Kuwait gamers verbally abused Stimac, however the referee did not take applicable motion. Gawli known 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.