SAFF Championship 2023: The Indian football team clinched the heart-stopper against Kuwait to become the champions of the SAFF Championship 2023 in a thrilling finale in Bengaluru. The Blue Tigers edged past their opponents in a humdinger in sudden death after both the teams refused to give any ground for two hours of the game and even in the penalties. After a 1-1 score in the normal time, the game went into extra time but none of the sides found the back of the nets as the showdown clash witnessed an absolute nail-biter in penalties.
Even the five penalties could not separate the winner in Bengaluru and the game was forced into sudden death after both the sides scored four goals each in their five attempts. The sudden death time rolled in and Mahesh Naorem scored for India, whereas Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiah missed. Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made the winning save as he went in the right direction where Hajiah kicked the ball to. India prevailed by 5-4 and keep their dominance high in the competition. With this, the Blue Tigers have won the sub-continental title for the 9th time.
Here's how the penalty shootout panned out!
India's attempt 1: Sunil Chhetri goals as he sends the goalkeeper on the wrong side
Kuwait's attempt 1: Mohammad Abdullah hits the bar. India 1-0
India's attempt 2: Sandesh Jhingan makes 2-0 for India
Kuwait's attempt 2: Alotaibi opens Kuwait's account as he hit it right of Sandhu
India's attempt 3: Chhangte converts on the keeper's left
Kuwait's attempt 3: Aldhefeery sends it past Sandhu. India 3, Kuwait 2
India's attempt 4: Udanta hits over the bar
Kuwait's attempt 4: Mahran brings Kuwait to parity with India
India's attempt 5: Subhashish scores to the top right
Kuwait's attempt 5: AlKhaldi scores to keep his team in the hunt
Sudden death attempt India: Mahesh scores to put India ahead
Sudden death attempt Kuwait: Hajiah's kick saved by Sandhu. India win!
The first half of the contest witnessed goals from both the teams as first Kuwait and then India found the back of the nets. The visitors opened the scoring sheets in the 14th minute with a strike from Shabib Al Khaldi. India kept pressing and found the opening from a Lallianzuala Chhangte goal in the 38th minute.
The second half also witnessed some tight on-field games but none of the teams could score, taking the match in the extra time and then into the penalties.
