SAFF Championship 2023: Sunil Chhetri Hat-Trick Powers India To 4-0 Win Over Pakistan

21.06.2023 - 16:55 sports.ndtv.com

Sunil Chhetri's glittering hat-trick laced India's 4-0 win over Pakistan in their SAFF Championship opener on Wednesday as the talisman became the second-highest Asian goal-scorer in international football.

Ali Daei of Iran holds the record with 109 goals from 149 matches. Chhetri has 90 goals to his name. From the beginning of the match itself India brought forth their experience and class into play.

Pakistan had pockets of doughty resistance, but they were not a match to India's cohesion and purpose on a rain-drenched night at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Chhetri had shown sparks of his old ebullient self in the Intercontinental Cup final against Lebanon at Odisha on Sunday, and the Indian skipper stepped on the pedal on his 'home turf'.

Football Saff win Igor Stimac Sunil Chhetri India Iran Pakistan Lebanon county Power

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 Beat Kuwait In Penalty Shootout To Win SAFF Championships 2023 Title

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.

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.

India Captain Sunil Chhetri Signs Bengaluru FC Extension

Exactly two months before celebrating his 39th birthday, Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri on Monday signed a new one-year deal with Bengaluru FC with an option of an additional year. The world's third highest goal-scorer among active players, Chhetri unveiled a banner at the Kanteerava Stadium here after India's win over Lebanon in the SAFF Championship semifinal on Saturday, stating his decision to stay at the club with which he has won seven trophies.

'SAFF Championship This Year Has Higher Competitive Value': AIFF General Secretary Dr Shaji Prabhakaran

All India Football Federation (AIFF) Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran lauded the SAFF Championship for its high competitive value and said that the reason for it that there were two teams outside South Asian Football Federation region - Lebanon and Kuwait, reported the governing body of the sport on Sunday. The SAFF Championship has been a happy hunting ground for India, with the Blue Tigers winning eight of the 13 editions held so far. However, the ongoing 2023 edition of the championship is a rather special one, with the presence of quality teams like Lebanon and Kuwait, who have been brought in as special invitees.