Igor Stimac, the head coach of the Indian football team, was sent off in the first half of India's SAFF Championship 2023 clash against rivals Pakistan on Wednesday in Bengaluru.
India outclassed their opponents with a comfortable 4-0 in their opening match of the tournament thanks to a hat-trick from captain Sunil Chhetri.
Goal No. 8️⃣8️⃣, 8️⃣9️⃣ and 9️⃣0️⃣ for @chetrisunil11 🔥👑 @UdantaK’s first goal for the #BlueTigers 🐯 since 2018 👏🏽😍
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 22, 2023
🇮🇳 4-0 🇵🇰
Full highlights on our YouTube channel 👉🏽 https://t.co/hlPtPYiabZ#SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #INDPAK #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/vhTcu3GhpD
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Why was Igor Stimac given a red card against Pakistan?
The high-voltage clash in Bengaluru was marred by controversy in the first half when India's Igor Stimac got involved in a tussle with the Pakistani players and their coach.
It all started in the 44th minute when Stimac stopped a Pakistani player from taking a quick throw-in on the touchline by using his hand. The away team along with their head coach approached the spot immediately and confronted the Croatian manager. It quickly escalated to a scuffle between the two sides.
Stimac was shown direct red while his counterpart was cautioned with a yellow card.
IND vs PAK sees RED in the first half 🤯
— FanCode (@FanCode) June 21, 2023
India vs Pakistan is never fully complete without the fireworks and heated emotions 💥#INDvPAKonFanCode #SAFFChampionship2023 pic.twitter.com/xJLZTmcrp5
What did Igor Stimac say after getting the red card against Pakistan?
The former Croatian international, who received a red card for the first time since taking over as India's head coach in 2019, defended his stance and claimed that he just wanted to protect his players against harsh refereeing decisions.
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On Twitter, he wrote,
Football is all about passion, especially when you defend the colours of your country. You can hate or love me for my actions yesterday, but I am a warrior and I will do it again when needed to protect our boys on the pitch against unjustified decisions.
Football is all about passion, especially when you defend the colours of your country. 🇮🇳💙🇭🇷
— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) June 22, 2023
You can hate or love me for my actions yesterday, but I am a warrior and I will do it again when needed to protect our boys on the pitch against unjustified decisions. pic.twitter.com/Jgps3hrmDP
What next for the Indian football team?
After convincingly beating their rivals in their opening group game of the SAFF Championship 2023, they next take on Nepal on June 24 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
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