SAFF Championship 2023 Final: India stun Kuwait, lift record 9th title

SAFF Championship 2023 Final: Suni Chhetri and Co. certainly will be feeling at top of world today. In recently concluded SAFF Championship final, India outclassed Kuwait by 5-4 on penalty kicks. India have w lifted ir 9th title 

Ahead of AFC Asian Cup next year, India added ir 9th SAFF Championship title following ir triumph in Intercontinental Cup earlier this year. India failed to beat Kuwait in earlier meeting in this tournament but this time Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made sure India don't falter in final hurdle. 

India vs Kuwait: As it happened

Kuwait had first breakthrough as Al Khaldi drew first blood to stun a packed Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. But Lallianzuala Chhangte opened up scoring as he taps in from a Sahal Abdul Samad pass to send crowd into madness. Both teams worked hard to get job done in regulation time but even extra time couldn't yield a result. Sunil Chhetri took first penalty and converted with ease.

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match goes to penalty kicks

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After five rounds of penalty kicks scoreline remained 4-4 and sudden death rule was applied. Udanta Singh missed a spot kick for home side while Mohammad Abdullah hit bar for visitors. Mahesh Naorem scored but a diving India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved Khaled Hajiah's shot to hand victory to home side. Ahead of AFC Asian Cup this will act as a big morale boost for Blue Tigers.

(With inputs from PTI)