SAFF Championship: India defeat Kuwait by way of penalties in last to elevate their ninth title

Bengaluru, July 5 – Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was the hero as soon as once more as India defeated Kuwait 5-4 by way of sudden dying penalties within the last to defend the SAFF Championship title on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium right here on Tuesday.

After the 2 groups have been tied 1-1 in regulation time of 90 minutes, Sandhu, who was the hero of India’s win over Lebanon within the semifinals by way of penalties, got here up with one other good efficiency because the hosts emerged the winner. With this win, India lifted their eighth title within the SAFF Championship, essentially the most by any nation within the match’s historical past.

The penalty shootout was taken after it was 1-1 on the finish of additional time. Shabib Al Khaldi opened the scoring for Kuwait however Lallianzuala Chhangte discovered the all-important equaliser.

And it was the skilled Sandhu, who made the match-winning save within the penalties to assist India win the sport. Udanta Singh missed a penalty for India whereas Abdullah hit the put up for Kuwait. The match went into sudden dying and it was Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who saved the penalty from Hajiah to clinch the win.

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With this India, who lately rose one place to a hundredth within the newest FIFA rankings, gained their ninth SAFF Championship title in 14 editions.

This was additionally India’s second silverware, after clinching the Intercontinental Cup final month.