Indonesia file referee complaint after losing to Iraq

Indonesia believe the official’s call on the play was a grave mistake that cost them the match, and the tournament.

Referee Tantashev Ilgiz (L) during the Asian Cup group stage game between Indonesia and Iraq on Jan. 15, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

After the match at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium ended on Monday night, Indonesia showed strong disapproval of the referee’s decision to recognize Iraq’s second goal, which they deemed offside.

“We have filed a complaint directly to the match supervisor,” Indonesian team leader Endri Erawan said.

In the seventh minute of injury time in the first half, when the score was 1-1, Ali Jassim’s shot bounced off goalkeeper Ernando Ari and Osama Rashid rushed in for the rebound. Coach Shin Tae-yong immediately reviewed the goal on Indonesia’s own screen and then asked the referee to check the play on VAR. He said that another Iraq player, Mohanad Ali, was offside. However, referee Tantashev Ilgiz still recognized the goal for Iraq.

“We know that this complaint cannot change the result of the match. But we still do it hoping that at least the referee will do better in the next matches of the tournament,” Erawan added.

“This is unacceptable. The play was 100% offside. The referee was wrong to recognize this goal, and that changed the outcome of the match,” coach Shin said after the match.

 

 

Indonesia file referee complaint after losing to Iraq

Iraq dẫn 2-1

Iraq coach Jesus Garcia said Indonesia were overreacting and that the referee was not wrong and made a fair decision.

“I respect Indonesia’s coach, but Iraq won thanks to a great performance, not thanks to the referee like he said,” Garcia added.

On the AFC website, Indonesian fans criticized the referee. They said VAR was against Indonesia and demanded the release of the recording of the discussion between referees regarding the goal.

In the next match on Jan. 19, Indonesia will face Vietnam.