Bengaluru: India defeated Kuwait 5-4 on penalties to lift the 2023 SAFF Championship title at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday.The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes with Kuwait having taken the lead in the 14th minute through Shabib Al Khaldi with India equalising seven minutes before the break through Lallianzuala Chhangte.
With both teams tied 4-4 after five spot-kicks each, Mahesh Naorem scored the first sudden-death penalty with goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu then saving Khaled Hajiah’s effort to secure a record extending ninth title for India.
Backed by their passionate fans, India started on the front foot in search of an early advantage. Captain Sunil Chhetri, who went into the final with five goals to his name, had a header saved by Kuwait goalkeeper Abdulrahman Marzouq in the fourth minute.
India continued to press but Kuwait gradually grew into the match and took the lead in the 14th minute when Abdullah Albaloushi’s cross from the right was slotted home by Al Khaldi. The hosts tried to respond but Chhetri saw his effort two minutes later denied by Marzouq’s strong hand.
Both sides had half chances after that but India finally found the equaliser in the 39th minute with Chhangte finishing off a fine team move to take his side into the break on level terms.
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The second half saw the teams trying to find a second goal but it was to no avail as the match headed into an additional 30 minutes. Both sides gave it a go in extra time, with Chhangte having an opportunity to win it at the death for India, only to shoot the ball over, sending the final to penalties with Naorem and Gurpreet emerging the heroes for the home side.
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