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Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s heroic save helps India secure back-to-back titles
NEW DELHI: It was a remarkable night for Indian football as the national team emerged victorious in the SAFF Championship 2023, defeating Kuwait 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling final at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
The triumph marked India’s ninth sub-continental title, adding another glorious chapter to the nation’s regional supremacy. The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s winning save etching his name in Indian football history.
The summit clash of the highly competitive SAFF Championship showcased a cautious start from both teams, as they focused on retaining possession and building from the back. India had the first shot on target when Lallianzuala Chhangte’s header was easily saved by Kuwait’s goalkeeper Abdulrahman Marzouq. However, it was Kuwait that took the lead with a well-executed move in the final third. Shabaib Al-Khaldi converted Abdullah Al-Bloushi’s cutback to put Kuwait ahead.
🇮🇳 मां, तुझे सलाम 🫡#KUWIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/r2W46hI6qi
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 4, 2023
Undeterred by the early setback, India quickly responded. Chhangte’s powerful strike was saved by Marzouq, and Sunil Chhetri’s attempt from the rebound was cleared off the line. The Indian team’s attacking intent grew, and they soon equalised with a beautifully orchestrated goal. Ashique Kuruniyan found Chhetri, who cleverly played Sahal Abdul Samad through, and the midfielder set up Chhangte for a simple tap-in.
Both teams faced defensive setbacks, with players getting substituted due to injuries. Despite the challenges, the match remained intense, with bookings for players from both sides. India had a chance to take the lead as Chhangte’s shot lacked precision, and Kuwait also had their share of missed opportunities from long-range efforts and free-kicks.
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As the game headed into extra time, India withstood pressure from Kuwait, thanks to strong defensive blocks. Set-pieces had been India’s strength throughout the tournament, and they came close to scoring from a free-kick, but Kuwait’s defence held firm. Mehtab Singh made a crucial block in the dying moments of extra time, denying Kuwait a late winner.
With neither team able to break the deadlock, the final was decided by a penalty shootout, making it India’s second consecutive shootout in the tournament. Chhetri, Jhingan, Chhangte, and Subhasish all converted their penalties for India, while Sandhu emerged as the hero, saving the decisive penalty from Kuwait’s captain Haijah. Despite Udanta’s miss and Abdullah hitting the woodwork, India emerged victorious, securing their ninth SAFF title.
Igor Stimac, the head coach of the Indian national team, made history by becoming the first foreign coach to win back-to-back SAFF Championship titles. The victory also marked the first time India defeated two West Asian countries consecutively in the tournament, having defeated Lebanon in the semifinals.
