Putting in the hard yards, Chhetri's boys show exemplary fitness and mental fortitude to prevail against a stubborn Kuwait in penalties
BENGALURU: The battle of equals thrilled more than 26,380 fans under dazzling lights at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here for 120 minutes. After regulation time ended 1-1, India showed icy nerves to deny Kuwait in sudden death tie-breaker (5-4) to lift the SAFF Bangabandhu Championship 2023.
In the shootout, skipper Sunil Chhetri opened the account for India, calmly slotting past Kuwaiti keeper Abdulrahman Marzouq. Mohammed Abdullah's shot found the woodwork. The crowd went in raptures. That set the tone as Chhangte made it 2-0 before Kuwait clawed back to make it 2-3. Udanta then blasted over as Abdulaziz Mahran made it 3-3
. Subashish Bose, calm and composed, made it 4-3 but Al Khaldi again pulled the visitors level. Young Mahesh Singh made no mistake in sudden death but the tired Kuwait skipper Khaled Hajiah's feeble shot was saved by India goalie Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. It was the moment the massive crowd was waiting for, to sing and dance through the night.
The exciting action, that kept the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the 120 minutes, saw Kuwait press hard early before India fought their way back and stretched the rival defence. Both teams had their chances but the match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time. It was India's third title this season after lifting the tri-nations trophy and the Intercontinental Cup.
The hosts went close in the second half added time but it was the visitors who had an even better chance. Mohd Abdullah managed a free run into the box and unleashed a powerful right footer that Sandhu saved with a diving stop.
The Kuwaitis were slowly inching their way ahead and the India players went in for tackles and conceded a flurry of free kicks, Kuwait got one on the top of the box two minutes from close and Al Khaldi was going for the top corner before it hit the wall and looped out.
Earlier, India had a great chance to take the lead in the 62nd minute after an even start to the second half. Set up by, who else but, Chhetri, winger Chhangte had only the goalkeeper to beat but the youngster only managed a weak shot. India assistant coach Mahesh Gawli, who was in charge in place of suspended head coach Igor Stimac, proved to be a calming influence on the bench as he tackled even difficult moments with a smile.
It was Kuwait who drew first blood in the 15th minute. Mobarak Al Faneeni, one of the three players who were on the substitutes bench in their group match against India, always spelt danger whenever he drove in through the middle and left.
1/10:India beat Kuwait in penalty shootout to win 9th SAFF Championships title
IANS
2/10:India beat Kuwait
<p>A gritty India battled past Kuwait 5-4 on sudden death to lift the SAFF Championship for the ninth time at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday. </p>PTI
3/10:India's third title this season
<p>It was India's third title this season after lifting the Tri-nations and Intercontinental Cup. </p>TNN
4/10:Sunil Chhetri
<p>The battle of equals thrilled more than 26,380 fans at the stadium for 120 minutes before skipper Sunil Chhetri opened India's account in the shootout. </p>PTI
5/10:Lallianzuala Chhangte
<p>Mohammed Abdullah's shot, taken in a cauldron, struck the crossbar. That set the tone as Lallianzuala Chhangte made it 2-0 before Kuwait clawed back to 2-3. </p>PTI
6/10:Udanta Singh
<p>Udanta Singh then sent his spot kick over the goal, allowing Abdulaziz Mahran to tie the score at 3-3. </p>PTI
7/10:Shabib Al Khaldi
<p>Subashish Bose held his nerve and made it 4-3 but Shabib Al Khaldi again pulled the visitors level. </p>PTI
8/10:Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
<p>Young Mahesh Singh made no mistake in sudden death and then tired Kuwait skipper Khaled Hajiah's weak shot was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. </p>PTI
9/10:Exciting action
<p>The exciting action between the two teams, unbeaten in their last 10 matches, saw Kuwait press hard early before India fought their way back and stretched the rival defence.</p>PTI
10/10:1-1 after regulation and extra time
<p>Both teams had their chances but the match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time. The hosts went close in the second half added time but it was the visitors who had an even better chance. </p>PTIThe Kuwaitis broke free with Faneeni finding space through the middle through the Indian defenders. Before Sandhesh Jhingan and company realized the gravity of the danger, Faneeini relayed it to Abduallah Al Bloushi who wasted no time in setting up striker Shabaib Al Khaldi. The striker was in perfect place giving Sandhu no chance.
The match was heading into the halftime break when India found the equalizer in the 38th minute with superb combination play scripted by Chhetri and scored by Chhangte. The skipper found Samad clear with a splitting pass, after forcing the Kuwait skipper to concede a throw in. Samad didn't pull the trigger, instead squared it to Chhangte who made it 1-1 without any fuss.
Result (final): Kuwait 1 (Al Khaldi 15) lost to India 1 (Chhangte 38). India win 5-4 in the sudden death tie-breaker
