In a thrilling clash of football prowess, the Indian men’s national football team is set to go head-to-head against Iraq in the semi-finals of the prestigious King’s Cup 2023 tournament. This highly anticipated match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM IST, and football enthusiasts can catch every moment of the action via live streaming.
The King’s Cup, a longstanding tradition in Thailand’s international football scene, has been captivating fans since its inception in 1968. The 49th edition of this tournament will be conducted in a knockout format from September 7 to 10. The scenic 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand, will serve as the battleground for these epic encounters.
On the same day, hosts Thailand, currently ranked 100th globally, will face off against Lebanon, setting the stage for an intense competition.
The victorious teams from these gripping semi-final showdowns will battle it out for the coveted King’s Cup title on September 10. Meanwhile, the two valiant semi-finalists who narrowly miss the final berth will engage in a third-place playoff to determine the tournament’s bronze medalist.
For the Indian men’s football team, this marks their fourth appearance in the prestigious King’s Cup. Their most recent outing in 2019 saw them narrowly miss the final, succumbing to Curacao in the semi-final but rallying to defeat Thailand 1-0 in the third-place playoff. Their previous bronze victory dates back to 1977.
Intriguingly, the last time India crossed paths with Iraq, the highest-ranked team in this edition, was in a friendly match in 2010, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Indian side.
Igor Stimac’s India last took the international stage in the SAFF Championship final against Kuwait in July, where they triumphed 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shootout.
Notably, India, currently ranked 99th in the FIFA rankings, will be without their talismanic captain, Sunil Chhetri, who is unavailable due to personal reasons. The Indian team’s next significant football assignment is set to be the Asian Games in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, commencing on September 23.
For those eager to witness the King’s Cup 2023 action live in India, the tournament will be available for live streaming on FIFA Plus TV. Additionally, the Eurosport TV channel will broadcast the football extravaganza, ensuring fans don’t miss a single moment of the excitement.
Here’s a quick rundown of the King’s Cup 2023 schedule and live match start times, all in Indian Standard Time (IST):
September 7, Thursday
- Iraq vs India – 4:00 PM IST
- Thailand vs Lebanon – 7:00 PM IST
September 10, Sunday
- Third-place playoff – 4:00 PM IST
- Final – 7:00 PM IST
Stay tuned for a riveting display of football prowess as these nations vie for supremacy in the King’s Cup 2023 tournament.