Sunil Chhetri-led India beat Kuwait 5-4 on penalties to win SAFF Championship for the ninth time. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu turned out to be India’s hero in the penalties keeping two of them out to win the game for the hosts as ‘Vande Matram’ echoed in a jam-packed Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru.
Earlier in the first half, Kuwait were on the attack. In the 14th minute on the counter-attack, Abullah Al Bloushi's cross found Shabaib Al Khaldi which got the visitors a lead. A couple minutes later, India almost scored but Lallianzuala Chhangte's shot was saved by goalkeeper Marzoug Al-Khelaifi. In the 27th minute, Kuwait made an early change by bringing in Hamad Al Alharbi for Hasan Alanezi. Then Sandesh Jhingan was booked. In the 35th minute, India's Anwar Ali hurt himself while defending and was stretchered out of play. Mehtab Singh took the field as his replacement. There were few yellow cards in the later stages of first half. In the 38th minute, Ahmad Al Dhafeeri's failed clearance led to India catching Kuwait off-guard. Chhangte got the perfect cross as he found the equaliser.
In the second half, Jhingan's interception kept Kuwait from taking the lead. There were plenty chances created on both sides but none found the back of the net. The formation switched from 4-3-3 to 5-3-2 as the situation demanded. In the 77th minute India made two changes as Ashique Kuruniyan and Anirudh Thapa walked out to make way for Mahesh Singh, Rohit Kumar. The deadlock was not broken in the second half and the game progressed to extra time.
It was the same story in extra time as well. However, in the second half of the first time Akash Mishra who was struggling in the middle with his fitness was replaced by Subhasish Bose. Another Kuwait player got booked followed by Chhangte's strike that did not have enough power and went over the bar as well.
For India Chhetri scored first in penalties. Kuwait did not start well as Abdullah hit the bar. Jhingan, Chhangte scored and so did Kuwait's next two strikers. But Kanteerava stadium went silent when Udanta missed the target. Two more goals were scored from either side and then Sandhu saved the shot to hand India a win in the final, the same team India lost to 9-1 and 6-1.
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