BENGALURU: Sunil Chhetri-led India edged Kuwait 5-4 on the penalty shoot-out at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to win the SAFF Championship 2023 after the nailbiting final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
Kuwait started the high-stake match on a high as the invitee side found the breakthrough in the 15th minute, courtesy of a fine finish by Shabib Al Khaldi.
India, backed up by a raucous home crowd, reacted in style, peppering the Kuwait box with assaults before Lallianzuala Chhangte levelled for the hosts at the 40-minute mark.
Both teams were unable to add to their first-half goals, and the enthralling SAFF Championship final between India and Kuwait entered into extra time.
The two sides remained inseparable despite the completion of the extra time and remained tied at 1-1 at the 120-minute mark.
Indian captain Sunil Chhetri stood up for his side to take the first penalty kick and cannoned it into the back of the net after the ball deflected from the left side of the crossbar.
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Mohammad Abdullah Daham took the first penalty for Kuwait but his decision to opt for power went against his will as the ball went over the top after thudding onto the crossbar.
India’s Sandesh Jinghan and Lallianzuala Chhangte and Kuwait’s Fawaz Al Otaibi and Ahmed Al-Dheflri all fired the ball at the back of the net as India’s lead remained intact.
India’s Udanta Singh Kumam made a costly error when he scooped the ball over to pave the way for Kuwait to make a comeback after missing the first penalty.
With both sides levelled at 4-4, Subhasish Bose held his nerves calm to deliver under pressure before Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a diving effort to stop Khalid El Ebrahim’s strike and powered India to a thrilling victory.
The victory propelled India to their record-extending ninth SAFF Championship title victory.