India lifted a file ninth SAFF Championship title on Tuesday after overcoming Kuwait within the penalty shootout at Sri Kanteerava Outside Stadium in Bengaluru. There was a way of panic within the Indian dugout after Kuwait had taken the lead via Shabaib Al Khaldi. Nevertheless, the hosts lastly equalised after Ashique Kuruniyan picked out Sunil Chhetri, who mixed with Sahal Abdul Samad, to arrange Lallianzuala Chhangte for a simple tap-in. The scoreline remained intact because the match went to extra-time, adopted by penalties.

Within the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu pulled off the decisive save off Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiah’s effort to spark wild celebrations on the Kanteerava.

After 5 rounds of penalty kicks, the scoreline was 4-4 with either side lacking a penalty every and the sudden loss of life rule was kicked off.

Mahesh Naorem stepped up and scored for the Indian crew. Sandhu had a tough problem in entrance of him as Hajiah stepped in to convey again parity within the scoreline.

Sandhu made a diving save to maintain Khaled’s shot away from the objective line. As quickly as he saved the penalty, he ran and pulled off an animated celebration in entrance of the house followers.

Watch Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s decisive save in SAFF Championship closing:

GURPREET SINGH SANDHU
You magnificence
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS#INDKUW #SAFFChampionship2023 #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/KEoFVzN8Yq

— BumbleBee (@itsMK_02) July 4, 2023

With this win, Indian head coach Igor Stimac turns into the primary overseas head coach to win back-to-back SAFF Championship titles.

This was additionally the primary time that India defeated two West Asian international locations in back-to-back matches, after profitable the semi-final in opposition to Lebanon, additionally on penalties.

(With ANI Inputs)