What pathetic refereeing, heartbreak for Indian football fans - Twitter reacts to India's loss against Qatar
(Courtesy : AIFF media)
Indian football fans also want Igor Stimac to be sacked.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between Qatar and India, held at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar, was a thrilling match that captivated football fans across both nations.
India, needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, initially thrilled their supporters by leading in the first half.
However, Qatar turned the tables in the second half, scoring twice and securing a 2-1 victory. The match, filled with excitement and controversy, sparked a flurry of reactions on Twitter.
Disappointment and Fans call for change
India started the match on a promising note, with Lallianzuala Chhangte scoring a brilliant goal that gave them the lead in the first half. Indian fans were ecstatic, hoping that this momentum would carry the team to a much-needed victory.
However, the second half saw Qatar score twice, turning the game in their favor and leaving Indian fans heartbroken.
Calls for Igor Štimac’s Sacking
The defeat led to a barrage of tweets calling for the sacking of India’s head coach, Igor Štimac. Many fans have grown increasingly frustrated with his leadership and tactics, believing he is no longer the right person to guide the team.
Controversy Over Qatar’s Winning Goal
Adding fuel to the fire was a controversial goal awarded to Qatar. Many Indian fans took to Twitter to express their outrage, sharing videos and analyses that they claimed clearly showed the goal should not have counted.
The criticism of the referee and FIFA authorities was intense, with accusations of poor officiating.
Praise for Lallianzuala Chhangte
Despite the overall disappointment, Indian fans found a silver lining in the performance of Lallianzuala Chhangte, who scored India’s lone goal and showcased his skills throughout the match.
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