A WORLD CUP qualifier between Iraq and Indonesia erupted into chaos as three players were sent off and the referee was pushed in crazy scenes.
Former Manchester United star Zidane Iqbal scored the only goal of a 1-0 win for Iraq.
Iraq and Indonesia’s World Cup qualifier descended into chaos as three players and a team manager were sent off[/caption]
A 1-0 win for Iraq sent Indonesia crashing out of the World Cup[/caption]
But that was about as routine as it got at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia were left far from happy with the performance of referee Ma Ning.
He appeared to be in control of the clash for the first hour, until Indonesia lost their temper with their World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Tim Garuda, led by former Barcelona and Netherlands star Patrick Kluivert, were left fuming 23 minutes from the end of the game.
The incident which kick-started a mad end to the game came when Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen was only shown a yellow card for pulling down Ole Romeny.
Iqbal, 22, then scored 14 minutes from the end to put the Lions of Mesopotamia ahead, and as the full-time whistle approached the tension spilled over.
Indonesia centre-back Kevin Diks thought he should have won a late penalty following an alleged handball against Tahseen.
But Tahseen had already been blown up for a high boot in the build up of the attack which forced Indonesia to settle for a free-kick, though the defender was sent off for a second yellow offence.
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Following the final whistle, Indonesia players surrounded Ning to protest the earlier decision.
And he soon dished out two more red cards as firstly Indonesia left-back Shayne Pattynama was involved in a scuffle with Iraq head coach Graham Arnold.
But as Ning brandished the card he was shoved in the back by Indonesia team manager Sumardji, which earned him a red card as well.
Midfielder Thom Haye also followed suit in being sent off when he also confronted Ning.
The result left Indonesia bottom of Group B of the AFC World Cup qualifiers table after defeats by Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Iraq will play the Gulf State on Tuesday to guarantee their spot in the World Cup next summer.
Anything less than a win for Iraq would see Saudi secure qualification for the tournament being held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The second place team will be placed into another preliminary qualifying round.
Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Jordan have already qualified for the tournament.
