SAFF Championship: India won the title for the ninth time by defeating Kuwait in the penalty shootout

Bangalore. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a diving save to save the decisive penalty as India beat Kuwait 5-0 in a shootout on Tuesday. 4 won the SAIF Football Championship title for the ninth time. Both teams till 120 minutes of play 1. were tied at 1. The score is still 4 after five rounds of the penalty shootout. It was 4 after which the decision was taken on Sudden Death. Mahesh Norem scored and India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu made a diving save to save Khalid Hajiya’s shot. Within regulation time, Shabaib Al Khalidi had given Kuwait the lead in the 14th minute, while Lalianzuala Changtene equalized for India in the 39th minute.

Defending champions India and Kuwait also played the last group match 1. Played a draw from 1. India has won the penalty shootout for the second time. Earlier on July 1, in the semi-finals, Lebanon was also defeated in the penalty shootout by 4. Was defeated by 2. In that match too, Sandhu did a great job in the shootout. Captain Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Shubhashish Bose, Chhangte and Mahesh scored for India while Udanta Singh missed the target. Prior to the shootout, Kuwait dominated the proceedings, creating several chances in the first half. It paid off in the 14th minute when Mubarak Al Fanini passed to Abdullah Al Blushi from the left wing. Al Blushi passed the ball to Al Khalidi who scored to give Kuwait the lead.

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India would have equalized in the very next minute but Changte’s shot was saved by Kuwait goalkeeper Abdul Rahman. Chhangte, who was voted the FIFF’s best male player this year, however, scored the equalizer in the 39th minute. After an exchange of passes between Sahal Abdul Samad and captain Chhetri, the ball reached Chhangte who beat the opposition goalkeeper to score. In the second half, both the teams tried their best but could not score. In extra time some players were injured, some players and officials also got yellow cards but the decisive goal could not be scored. After this the decision was taken by penalty shootout.