During Wednesday’s blockbuster match between India and Pakistan at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship 2023, tempers rose and head coach Igor Stimac, as well as players of the Pakistani football team, had to be separated before the halftime whistle. Team India, led by Sunil Chhetri, began their SAFF Championship campaign in 2023 with a dominating 4-0 victory over Pakistan in Group A at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
Following a heated incident with several players from the Pakistani camp, head coach Stimac was given a red card for showing dissent before halftime. After Pakistan received a throw in the 45th minute of the first half, India’s head coach Stimac was clearly unhappy. Stimac was penalised for blocking a Pakistani throw-in, resulting in a massive fight between the two teams.
After the nasty incident, Sandesh Jhingan and Rahis Nabi got yellow cards, while India head coach Stimac got a red card. During the incident, Pakistan men’s team goalkeeping coach Marcelo Schroeder Costa headbutted one of the coaching staff members.
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Talking more about the game, India scored 2 early goals in the 1st half to live up to their ‘favourites tag’ in the action-packed Indo-Pak clash at the Kanteerava Stadium. India’s charismatic striker Chhetri scored the match’s opening 2 goals, putting the Indians in control. After scoring twice in the first half, Chhetri completed his hat trick in the 74th minute.