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Xtra Time Web Desk: In a dramatic and controversial FIFA World Cup Qualifier round 2 match on June 11, India faced elimination after a contentious equaliser from Qatar. India had taken an early lead in the 37th minute through Lallianzuala Chhangte. However, Qatar equalised in the 73rd minute with a goal by Yousef Aymen. The controversy arose as the ball, which eventually led to Aymen's goal, appeared to have crossed the line before being played into the net. This decision left India goalkeeper and captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu visibly frustrated.

Qatar went on to win the match in the 85th minute, sealing India's exit from the qualifiers after Kuwait's victory against Afghanistan. The referee's decision to allow Qatar's equaliser was heavily criticized by fans, and India coach Igor Stimac did not hold back his disappointment. In his post-match press conference, Stimac expressed that Qatar was fortunate to win, attributing their comeback to the irregular goal. He lamented that such errors in judgement should not occur in modern football, and felt deeply for his players, whose dreams were shattered by what he deemed a grave injustice.

Read More: FIFA World Cup 2026: AIFF seeks investigation into Qatar’s controversial goal vs India

"Qatar were lucky tonight, especially because they came back from 0-1 with an irregular goal. I can confirm that now because I have seen the replay. The whole ball was out of play and the goal was given. It shouldn't be happening in today's football because that goal changed everything in this game. It could've happened to Qatar today and I would say the same. I'm not looking for an excuse. I feel sad that when you have 23 boys working really hard and living the dream, to achieve something, and that dream is killed because we didn't stop such things from happening," said Stimac.

MASSIVE BLUNDER FROM THE REFEREES AS THEY AWARD QATAR A GHOST GOAL ????

The ball has clearly crossed the line for a goal-kick, but the nasty Qataris pull it back to tuck in what was never even supposed to be a goal! Worst refereeing ????#QATIND #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/vyKjwLTptp

— India's Football Dream ???????? ???? (@EditsByHussain) June 11, 2024

It's kind of an injustice to my boys tonight because we were very close to winning this game and qualifying for the third round, but it didn't happen. Congratulations to Qatar. I would say that both countries can be proud of their future because all the players showed enormous quality today. They played open football and it was obvious that both teams enjoyed the game. Many people will say that Qatar played with their reserve team. But our team is also not too old compared to Qatar," added Stimac.

Read More: FIFA World Cup 2026: Heartbreak for Blue Tigers after controversial exit from qualification race

Stimac was proud of the performance of India and said he had nothing to complain about them.

"I would say that there is nothing to complain about my boys' display today. They were fantastic. All Indian fans can be proud of their team today. We controlled the game for a major part, with a high press against a good Qatari team. You could say that the chances India had were better than Qatar's," said Stimac.

The India coach, however, said his team needed to be more clinical in front of the goal.