FIFA World Cup qualifiers: In a dramatic twist of fate, Indias hopes of advancing in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers were shattered on Tuesday. The anticipation was palpable as the Indian mens football team took to the field in Doha. With Lallianzuala Chhangtes brilliant goal in the 37th minute, India was on the verge of a historical victory against Qatar. Lallianzuala Chhangtes goal not only gave India a lead in the match but also the cusp of a historic step forward in their World Cup journey.Turning point of the gameHowever, the match took a dark turn in the 73rd minute. A free-kick for Qatar quickly spiraled into controversy. Alhashmi Mohialdin, noticing the ball had rolled out of play, brought it back surreptitiously, setting up Youssef Aymen for a tap-in. The Indian squad immediately protested, pointing out the clear breach of rules. The absence of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system meant there was no recourse the goal stood, and the matchs momentum shifted dramatically.Qatar seals the winThe drama intensified as Ahmed Al-Rawi delivered a stunning curler in the 85th minute, cementing Qatars victory. This late goal not only secured the match for Qatar but also spelled the end of Indias hopes of advancing to the next round of qualifiers. Concurrently, Kuwaits victory over Afghanistan ensured that both Qatar and Kuwait moved forward, leaving India in a heartbreaking third place.Watch the video here:Breaking🚨 Bharat🇮🇳 Qatar🇶🇦Bharat 🆚 Qatar was cheated by saying that the ball was clearly out of play line.... Such corruption in Qatar vs India World Cup Qualification football match pic.twitter.com/00UFu1Ha7l— I$lami© T€rrorist (@raviagrawal3) June 11, 2024Fans demand justiceIndian fans took to social media to express their outrage. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) were ablaze with the hashtag #Shame, as supporters decried both the unsportsmanlike conduct of the Qatari team and the officials failure to uphold the rules. The frustration was palpable, with many feeling that a grave injustice had been done, robbing India of a deserved spot in the next round.Consequences for Indian footballThe controversial loss had far-reaching implications. Not only did it dash Indias World Cup dreams, but it also complicated their path to the AFC Asian Cup 2027. Instead of a direct entry, the Blue Tigers now face the daunting task of navigating the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers. Notably, Qatar had already qualified for the FIFA World Cup. In the wake of this setback, the Indian football community finds itself at a crossroads. While the sting of this unjust defeat lingers, there is also a collective resolve to come back stronger. The players, having shown remarkable skill and determination throughout the qualifiers, now face the challenge of channeling their disappointment into future victories.
