Indian football team lifted its nith South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship trophy after the Igor Stimac-managed side beat Kuwait 5-4 on penalties. The regulation time ended 1-1.
When Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved the final shot of the penalty shoot-out from Kuwait captain Khalid El-Ebrahim, the Indian fans, who had filled the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to the brim, celebrated like never before. India won on the penalty shoot-out 5-4 after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time (90 minutes) plus extra time (30 minutes).
Earlier in the evening, visitors Kuwait, who are not part of the SAFF but one of the two invited members alongside Lebanon from the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), took the lead with a goal from Shabib Al Khaldi in the 14th minute. India were in shock for some time before realising what had happened.
After realising that they were behind, the Indian players pulled things back and winger Lalrinzuala Chhangte brought the Blue Tigers back on level terms. It was a cross from Sahal Abdul Smad that Chhangte netted. Just before the goal, Anwar Ali had to be stretched away after he was injured. Mehtab Singh replaced him.
The second half as well as the two extra times ended in zero goals, but six yellow cards. Four of the six cards went to Kuwait, who wanted to get the match into the penalty shoot-out more than anything else. Gurpreet Singh saved a certain goal in the 92nd minute. Chhangte, who was awarded the senior player of the year (male) award by All India Football Federation (AIFF) earlier, hit one over the bar in the extra time, failing to give India the lead.