India Beat Kuwait In Penalty Shootout To Win SAFF Championships 2023 Title

04.07.2023 - 19:55 sports.ndtv.com

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made the difference once again as he saved a crucial penalty kick in the summit clash to help India beat Kuwait 5-4 in the shootout and clinch SAFF Championships title for the ninth time here on Tuesday.

After five rounds of penalty kicks, the scoreline remained 4-4 and sudden death rule was applied. Mahesh Naorem scored but a diving Sandhu saved Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiah's shot to the wild celebration of the home fans and at the India dug out.

In the regulation time, Shabaib Al Khaldi had put Kuwait in the lead in the 14th minute before Lallianzuala Chhangte equalised in the 39th minute.

Defending champion India and Kuwait had also played out a 1-1 draw in their last group match. This was the second time India won in the penalty shootout.

Football Saff win penalty Singh Sandhu Sunil Chhetri India Kuwait Lebanon

The Indian men's football team on Thursday achieved sub-100 FIFA ranking for the first time since 2018 as it moved up one spot to 99th after its SAFF Championship triumph. India had beaten strong teams Lebanon and Kuwait on penalty shoot-out in the semifinal and final respectively in the SAFF Championships in Bengaluru earlier this month. Lebanon also gained two places to be just below India at 100th spot while Kuwait moved up four places to be at 137th in the latest FIFA chart issued on Thursday.

Indian Football Team Enters Sub-100 FIFA Ranking For First Time Since 2018

"Rise Of Indian football Has Been Remarkable": AIFF Chief Kalyan Chaubey

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey congratulated Team India for clinching their record ninth South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title. He took to Twitter to congratulate Blue Tigers. "Nothing short of a spectacular night to remember Congratulations India. So proud of you @chetri_sunil11 @stimacigor & the entire team The rise of #IndianFootball has been truly remarkable We are brave, We are THE #BlueTigers," tweeted Chaubey.

Watch: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's Stunning Penalty Save That Sealed India's 9th SAFF Championship Title

India lifted a record ninth SAFF Championship title on Tuesday after overcoming Kuwait in the penalty shootout at Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru. There was a sense of panic in the Indian dugout after Kuwait had taken the lead through Shabaib Al Khaldi. However, the hosts finally equalised after Ashique Kuruniyan picked out Sunil Chhetri, who combined with Sahal Abdul Samad, to set up Lallianzuala Chhangte for an easy tap-in. The scoreline remained intact as the match went to extra-time, followed by penalties.

India vs Kuwait Live, SAFF Championship Final 2023: Chhangte Scores Equaliser, India 1-1 Kuwait In 2nd Half

India vs Kuwait Live, SAFF Championship Final 2023: India and Kuwait are tied at 1-1 in the second half. Alkhaldi scored first for Kuwait but Chhangte brought India back into the game with the equaliser. Defending champions India look to preserve a proud record and add a ninth title to their shelf when they face a tough Kuwait in the SAFF Championship final in Bengaluru on Tuesday. India were stretched to a penalty shootout by Lebanon in the semifinals before winning 4-2, while Kuwait had to wait till extra time to eke out a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh. In fact, this will be the second time India will face Kuwait in the tournament. They had played out a 1-1 draw in an acrimonious Group A match last week.

India vs Kuwait, SAFF Championship 2023, Final: When And Where To Watch Live Telecast, Live Streaming

The Indian football team will be squaring off against Kuwait in the final match of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship on Tuesday at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Defending champions India would look to preserve a proud record and add a ninth title to their shelf. India were stretched to a penalty shootout by Lebanon in the semifinals before winning 4-2, while Kuwait had to wait till extra time to eke out a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh. In fact, this will be the second time India will face Kuwait in the tournament.