India defeated Kuwait in the final of SAFF Championship 2023.
The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Shabaib Al Khaldi opened the scoring for Kuwait, before Lallianzuala Chhangte's equaliser for India.
India then went on to win 5-4 on penalties, courtesy an excellent save from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
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India vs Kuwait Live: India Conquer South Asia
JOB DONE!
Exceptional display from the Indians, not just in this particular game, but all throughout the tournament. Igor Stimac's men have delivered every time the chips were down, and the stakes were high, and it was all replicated tonight.
The challenge was always going to be stern against a formidable Kuwaiti side, but India did well to dominate the game, and then not let a goal against the run of play derail their plans, with Lallianzuala Chhangte scoring a crucial equaliser.
When it all boiled down to penalties, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu emerged as India's saviour for the umpteenth time in this career. His name already has 19 characters, but it could be increased 25 – let him be known as Gurpreet 'Clutch' Singh Sandhu.
Sunil Chhetri might not have been India's best player on the pitch tonight, but the skipper deserves praise for how he marshalled his troops, and potentially, prevented a few from getting sent off.
The experienced war general looked in no doubt of converting from the spot, but the likes of Naorem Mahesh Singh should also be applauded for being precise when nerves went through the roof.
As for Udanta, he and the billion Indian fans would not care less about the miss, as India have won the SAFF Championship for the record ninth time. Up next are the is Thailand's King's Cup in September, followed by Malaysia's Merdeka Tournament in October.
Till then, rejoice.
India vs Kuwait Live: Penalties
India to take the first kick.
India 1-0 Kuwait – Sunil Chhetri scores.
India 1-0 Kuwait – Mohammad Abdullah Daham misses.
India 2-0 Kuwait – Sandesh Jhingan scores.
India 2-1 Kuwait – Fawaz Al Otaibi scores.
India 3-1 Kuwait – Lallianzuala Chhangte scores.
India 3-2 Kuwait – Ahmed Al-Dhefiri scores.
India 3-2 Kuwait – Udanta Singh MISSES!
India 3-3 Kuwait – Abdul Aziz Naji scores.
India 4-3 Kuwait – Subhasish Bose scores.
India 4-4 Kuwait – Shabaib Al Khaldi scores.
SUDDEN DEATH NOW!
India 5-4 Kuwait – Naorem Mahesh Singh scores.
India 5-4 Kuwait – Khalid El Ebrahim misses. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu SAVES!
India have won the SAFF Championship 2023!
India vs Kuwait Live: Penalties Beckon
120+3' Time for penalties.
Dread it, run from it, but destiny penalties still arrive. And, they have arrived.
Will Gurpreet Singh Sandhu be India's hero again? Or, will it be the Kuwaiti keeper, the 22-year-old Abdulrahman Kameel, who will earn all the plaudits in a few minutes' time?
Questions aplenty. Answers will be available soon. Check your pulse, drink some water, calm your nerves.
India vs Kuwait Live: Chhangte Fires Wide
118' Was this the last chance of the game?
Nikhil Poojari beats everyone down the right flank before launching a cross, and Lallianzuala Chhangte does brilliantly well to beat his marker with his first touch. However, the winger then fired his attempt high and wide.