WATCH: Indian fans sing ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ after winning SAFF Championship in Bengaluru
Image Source- Twitter
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stopped a key penalty attempt in the summit showdown to enable India to overcome Kuwait 5-4 in the shootout and capture the SAFF Championships title for the seventh time here on Tuesday. The score remained 4-4 after five rounds of penalty kicks, thus the sudden death system was used. Mahesh Naorem scored, but a diving Sandhu stopped Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiah’s effort, sparking wild celebrations among home fans and inside the India dugout.
Shabaib Al Khaldi gave Kuwait the lead in the 14th minute, but Lallianzuala Chhangte levelled in the 39th. The audience roared and other players went towards their hero at the Kanteerva stadium to begin the celebration of winning the SAFF Championship for the ninth time. Sandhu, on the other hand, remained cool despite his feelings. During an emotional night, the fans at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium got up and yelled ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’.
Here’s the video of the fans
https://twitter.com/133_AT_Hobart/status/1676283413706440704?s=20
Match report
The action remained intense and fast-paced in the second half as both India and Kuwait sought the victor. Both sides were on the verge of scoring their second goal but were unable to do so as the game went into extra time for the second time in a row for both. During extra time, both sides participated in entertaining action. There were a few injuries, as well as yellow cards for both sides and referees, as well as a flurry of corners.
The game-winning goal, however, did not occur, forcing a penalty shootout to determine the winner. India conceded only two goals in nine matches, and only one opponent scored past an Indian goalkeeper in the last month Kuwait’s Shabaib Al Khaldi in the SAFF Championship final. In fact, Kuwait was the only opponent against whom India did not keep a clean sheet. India scored 12 goals in nine matches over the last month.
Stimac will surely be worried about the conversion rate, which will be handled. In the SAFF Championship, India had 75 shots but just scored eight goals. The victory also marked the continuation of some outstanding milestones. Since the debut of talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri, India has not lost a Cup final at home. India has won every SAFF Championship event that it has hosted. India has now won the SAFF Championship twice in a row, 12 years apart.
