SAFF Championship 2023, Final, India Vs Kuwait: India Retain Title After Defeating Kuwait 5-4 In Penalty Shootout, As It Happened

A thrilling penalty shootout saw the game go down the wire after Udanta Singh missed his kick. Gurpreet Sandhu again turned out as the hero for the Blue Tigers, saving the final kick from the Kuwaiti captain, ensuring India won the SAFF Championship for the 9th time.

Sridhar Krishnan

Updated on: 4 July 2023 5:07 pm

Gurpreet emerged as India's hero for the second time in a row, saving Al-Khaldi's penalty.

Sunil Chhetri and his Indian side extended their record title win in the SAFF Championship by winning the title for the ninth time. Al Khadi opened the scoring for Kuwait striking within the opening 15 minutes, but it was eqaulled by Chhangte in the latter stages of the first half. The second half produced a goalless 45 minutes taking the game into extra time. As India dominated proceedings, chances came to them easier than conversion, as the match went into penalty shootout. In a repeat from the semi-final, Gurpreet Sandhu did his bit saving the most important kick to ensure India emerged as victors.