In a thrilling encounter at the King’s Cup 2023 held at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Indian men’s football squad, directed by coach Igor Stimac, was bested by Lebanon with a score of 1-0. The defining moment was undoubtedly Kassem El Zein's stunning bicycle kick in the 77th minute that clinched the match for the Lebanese side.
The contest began with an aggressive approach from the Indian side, currently holding the 99th position in the FIFA rankings. Opting for a high-press strategy, the Blue Tigers created multiple scoring opportunities. However, converting these chances into goals proved elusive.
Lebanon, just a notch below India in the FIFA rankings, showcased resilience and upped their game towards the end of the first half. Dominating possession around India's penalty area, the Lebanese forwards tested India's defense line, anchored by captain Sandesh Jhingdan and Anwar Ali.
On the Indian front, right-back Ashish Rai emerged as a pivotal figure, setting the tone for India’s initial attacks. However, potential match-changers Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, and Anirudh Thapa missed out on translating their chances into goals.
Post half-time, the Lebanese brigade dictated terms, curbing India's counter-attack maneuvers. Their onslaught nearly bore fruit earlier in the second half when Nader Matar's attempt was thwarted by Indian custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. However, Lebanon's relentless endeavors finally bore fruit in the 77th minute. A well-executed corner by Ali Al Haj set up El Zein perfectly for his memorable goal.
India, not lacking in spirit, created several opportunities to level the score. But their struggles with finishing persisted. A glimmer of hope appeared in the stoppage time when Chhangte’s cross found Rohit Kumar, but the header unfortunately went wide.
Lebanon, adopting a fortress mentality in the closing minutes, successfully fended off the Indian challenges and claimed third place in the tournament.
It's noteworthy that India and Lebanon have locked horns multiple times this year. India had previously vanquished Lebanon during the SAFF Championship semi-finals and the Intercontinental Cup final, marking a significant victory after a 47-year gap. However, both teams settled for a draw during the Intercontinental Cup group stage.
India's journey in the King's Cup 2023 witnessed a dramatic semi-final against Iraq, which concluded in a penalty shootout, favoring Iraq 5-4 after a 2-2 stalemate in regular time.
In the history of the King's Cup, this year marked India's fourth appearance, with prior notable performances in 1977 and 2019.
The next mission for the Indian men’s football team lies at the Asian Games 2023, where fans eagerly await their performance.
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