Indian men’s football team won the SAFF Championship 2023 tournament following a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against Kuwait at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
India won their ninth SAFF Championship 2023 in 14 editions. Earlier, they won in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2019. This was India’s third title this year, after clinching the Tri-Nations Cup & Intercontinental Cup.
Shabaib Al Khaldi gave Kuwait the lead in 14′ which was cancelled by Lallianzuala Chhangte in 39′.
After the regulation time ended 1-1 and neither team could score in the extra time, the final came down to penalties.
For Kuwait, Fawaz Alotaibi, Ahmad Aldhefeery, Abdulaziz Mahran and Shabaib Alkhaldi in penalty shootout while Mohammed Abdullah missed. Kuwait’s captain Hajjeia decisive spotkick in sudden death was saved by Gurpreet.
For India, Chhetri, Jhingan, Chhangle, Bose and Mahesh scored with Udanta missed one.
Prizes:
Nepal wins the Fair Play Award for showing the greatest spirit of the game
Best goalkeeper of the competition: Anisur Rehman – Bangladesh
Golden Boot: Sunil Chhetri
Golden Ball: Sunil Chhetri
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
