King’s Cup 2023 football: India lose 1-0 to Lebanon in third-place playoff

The Indian men’s football team lost to Lebanon 1-0 in the third-place playoff of the King’s Cup 2023 football tournament at the 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand on Sunday.

While both teams had their chances, Kassem El Zein struck a bicycle kick in the 77th minute to give Lebanon the victory.

The Indian men’s football team, coached by Igor Stimac, opted for high-press early in the first half. India, 99th in the FIFA rankings, created a few good opportunities but could not make the most of their chances.

Lebanon, ranked one place below India, finished the half better. They created a stronghold of possession near the Indian penalty box and tested the Indian backline led by captain Sandesh Jhingdan and Anwar Ali.

Right-back Ashish Rai was the key to India’s attack in the first half. Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh and Anirudh Thapa, meanwhile, failed to capitalise on their opportunities and put the Indian side into the lead.

The Lebanese football team set the pace after the restart. They created multiple chances and restricted India’s ability to launch counter-attacks. Lebanon’s Nader Matar almost put Lebanon in the front early in the second half but Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu blocked the shot to keep the scores level.

Lebanon’s constant attacks finally paid dividends in the 77th minute. Ali Al Haj’s perfect delivery in the box from the corner found Kassem El Zein, who struck a precise bicycle kick to put Lebanon ahead.

India also had a few good chances to score but lack of finishing in the final third did not help India’s cause.

The Blue Tigers showed urgency in search of a response and almost found an equaliser in the fourth minute of the stoppage time. However, Lallianzuala Chhangte’s cross was headed wide by Rohit Kumar.

Lebanon stayed compact in the final minutes to ensure they ended the tournament at third place.

This was India’s fourth meeting against Lebanon this year. India got the better of the West Asian football side in the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship on penalties in July and beat them 2-0 in the final of the Intercontinental Cup in June for India’s first win over Lebanon in 47 years. India and Lebanon had played out a goalless draw during the group stage of the Intercontinental Cup.

Earlier in the King’s Cup 2023 semi-finals, India lost to Iraq 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.

This was the Indian men’s football team’s fourth appearance in the King’s Cup. India had finished third in the 1977 and 2019 editions.

The Indian men’s football team will be next in action at the Asian Games 2023 later this month.