Thailand and Iraq players get into fight after dangerous play in Cup final

A brawl broke out between Thailand and Iraq players in the King's Cup final after Iraq striker Mohanad Ali kicked Thailand captain Chanathip Songkrasin in the leg.

Thailand and Iraq faced off in the final on Sunday, having defeated Fiji and Hong Kong in the semifinals. In the 75th minute, Iraq's right midfielder Ibrahim Bayesh crossed the ball for striker Mohanad Ali, who headed it high to the left corner, beating goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai.

Shortly after, Iraq was reduced to 10 men when defender Frans Putros pulled down Supachok Sarachat and received a second yellow card, sending him off. But the drama continued in stoppage time.

In the fourth minute of injury time, Chanathip Songkrasin dribbled in the midfield when Ali kicked him hard from behind. Malaysian referee Nazmi Nasaruddin immediately gave Ali a straight red, but the dangerous foul sparked anger among Thailand players.

Several Thailand players, including substitutes, rushed toward Ali and started swinging punches. The brawl split into smaller groups, with one Iraq player punching a member of the Thailand coaching staff. Iraq players also quickly rushed in to protect Ali and escorted him off the pitch, ending the fight.

Thailand finished the match with a two-man advantage in the final three minutes but could not score, losing 0-1. This marks Iraq's second King's Cup title, after their first victory in 2023, when they defeated Thailand on penalties.

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Songkrasin was stretchered off the field with what appeared to be a knee injury.

Ali, 25, scored all three of Iraq's goals in the tournament, including a brace in the semifinals. He has 27 goals in 60 appearances for the national team and is familiar to Vietnamese fans, having scored twice against Vietnam in the 2019 Asian Cup group stage and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Following the match, Ali's Instagram account, with 2.3 million followers, was flooded with thousands of comments, primarily in English and Thai, criticizing and insulting the striker.