India beat Kuwait 5-4 on penalties to win their 9th SAFF Championship title. This was after the game entered into extra time after being deadlocked at 1-1. Sunil Chhetri’s men conceded the lead as early as the 14th minute when Al Khaldi put Kuwait in front.
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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 the SAFF Championships title for the ninth time in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
After five rounds of penalty kicks, the scoreline remained 4-4 and the 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 also played out a 1-1 draw in their last group match.
But in the 38th minute, Chhangte scored to draw India level. No goals were scored in the second half and the game entered into extra time.
SAFF Championship 2023. Neither side could find the back of the net in extra time and it was left to penalties.
India held their nerve in the tense situation and won sudden death. Chhetri was instrumental in India making it to the final. He started off the tournament with five goals in 3 games including a hat-trick vs Pakistan.
