Bengaluru: The Indian fans could not stop rendering "Vande Mataram" after Team India put the country on the highest pedestal. When Kuwait was almost on the brink of a victory, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu once again proved that he is cut out for such occasions.
The Indian goalkeeper made a crucial save in the sudden death, paving the way for his team to win the SAFF Championships for the ninth time.
It was an extremely hard-fought game for Sunil Chhetri and company, as the close match went into into the extra time.
Mohammad Daham missed the first penalty for Kuwait in the shootout, which gave a slight chance for India to claim the title, until Udanta Singh missed the fourth penalty for India, bringing the score on par with Kuwait.
As Khaled Hajiah walked up for his turn, probably weighed down due to huge expectation, he kicked at the bottom right of Gurpreet who dived to his left in anticipation and punched the ball away, sending the spectators in delirium.
India won 5-4 in the penalty shootout after ending 1-1 in extra time against Kuwait.
— Damon (Back up id ) (@_RCBTweets04) July 4, 2023 >
The hosts went into the final without the services of Head Coach Igor Stimac on the sidelines as he was handed a two-match suspension for his second red card of the competition during the previous match against Kuwait.
As India were coming to terms with Stimac's absence, another bad news greeted India as Anwar Ali was stretchered off and Mehtab Singh was replaced in his place.
Kuwait were nifty footed early on as they took the lead with the help of Shabaib Al Khaldi who scored the first goal 15 minutes into the game.
India failed to find any opening, but they came back strongly in the 38th minute with Lallianzuala Chhangte equalising for the hosts. But it was the talismanic Chhetri who sent a one-touch pass to Sahal Abdul Samad who tapped it in for Chhangte who bulged the net.
This was India's second silverware after winning the Intercontinental Cup this June. (UNI)