India crashed out of the SAFF Women’s Championship, losing 2-4 to Nepal on penalties in a semi-final match marred by complete confusion after the home team delayed play for more than an hour to protest the referee’s decision in Kathmandu. Sunday. Nepal will play Bangladesh in the final. In the first semi-final, Bangladesh defeated Bhutan 7–1. The penalty shootout, which took place in front of a packed house at the Dasharath Stadium, came after normal time ended in a 1-1 draw in a match that saw more drama off the field than on it.
In fact, when the penalty shootout ended, the total duration of the match from the start was almost three hours.
India took the lead in the 62nd minute thanks to Sangeeta Basfor’s brilliant strike from outside the box.
Nepal then scored but the referee disallowed the goal. The match was then suspended for over 70 minutes as Nepal refused to continue, protesting the referee’s decision.
According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the scene on the field during this period was a complete mess with some players and officials, mainly the home team, showing some theatrics.
Referee Om Chokyi of Bhutan waited patiently for over an hour and after much discussion between the observing officials and the Nepalese side, the match resumed.
The long wait and absolute confusion apparently interfered with the rhythm and concentration of the Indians.
Seconds after the match restarted, Nepal equalized through Sabitra Bhandari, which ultimately played a crucial role in extending the game beyond 90 minutes.
In the tiebreaker, Nepal managed to convert all four of their attempts, while only Manisha and Karishma Shirvoikar managed to score against India. Skipper Ashalata Devi and Ranjana Chanu missed out for the Blue Tigresses.
Trouble began early in the second half when Nepal forward Rekha Poudel was ordered out for a second yellow card in the 51st minute.
“As Nepal’s players vehemently protested the referee’s decision, the tension in the stands forced the assistant referee from the opposite line to leave his post and take shelter on the other side for a moment,” the AIFF said.
“It took about 12 minutes to restart the match. However, the situation got out of control after India took the lead. As the Indian players went to the bench to celebrate the goal, Nepal made a ‘restart’. and threw the ball into an open Indian goal,” the AIFF said.
The referee did not count the goal, and it turned out to be a bone of contention.
“While the spectators expressed their dissatisfaction, Nepalese players and officials decided to leave the field. It took the organizers and supervisors more than an hour to figure out the problem.
“India, who had until now enjoyed a good day at the office, were left as confused as everyone else at the Dasharath Stadium. Once the match resumed, the Blue Tigresses were never their usual selves again.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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