SAFF CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE WON BY INDIA! 9th championship won after beating Kuwait 5-4 on penalties.

India vs Kuwait SAFF 2023 Final: SAFF 2023 Final between India and Kuwait: On Tuesday, India defeated Kuwait 5-4 in a penalty shootout to win the SAFF Championships title for the ninth time. This is India's ninth SAFF Championship trophy in 14 iterations.

Throughout the game, neither team had an advantage over the other, with the penalties serving as the game's lone turning point.

Shabib Al Khaldi's goal for Kuwait gave them the lead in the first half of the game, but Lallianzuala Change's goal for India tied the score 38 seconds later. 

India ultimately prevailed in the shootout thanks to a save from goalie Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who stopped Khalid El Ebrahim of Kuwait from scoring from the spot.

EARLIER: With eight Championships already under their belt in 13 editions, the Indian Football Team will be eager to face off against powerful Kuwait in the championship's championship match. The game is slated to start at 7:30 PM (IST) on Tuesday, July 4 at Bangalore's Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

The incumbent SAFF Championship champions, Team India, were undefeated for the entirety of their season and are in great shape going into the finals. India won their eighth SAFF championship in 2021 by defeating Nepal 3-0 in the SAFF final in the Maldives.

The competition got off to a wonderful start for India as they thrashed Pakistan 4-0 in the opening game, with "Captain Fantastic" Sunil Chettri scoring a hat trick. The next match in the group stage pitted India against Nepal, and they easily defeated The Gurkhali's with goals from Chettri and Mahesh Singh.

 
India and Kuwait have already faced one another in the group rounds of the competition; therefore, this will be their second meeting. Sunil Chettri, the captain, scored in the last seconds of the first half to tie the game at 1-1. India dominated the game throughout, but Kuwait benefited from luck when India let an own goal in the 90+2-minute mark. minutes from a deflection off defender Anwar Ali.

As a replay of the previously conducted Intercontinental Cup final, India's encounter against Lebanon in the Semifinals was well reported. The Blue Tigers triumphed both times, defeating the Cedars 4-2 on penalties in the semifinals and 2-0 in the Intercontinental Cup final. India outplayed the competition in both games, dominating and outplaying them.

Fans may expect the best from the Blue Tigers as they enter the Finals given their recent performance and a much-anticipated team.

What time and where will the India vs. Kuwait SAFF 2023 Final be broadcast live?

Today, July 4, the game will be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

Live Streaming of the SAFF 2023 Final between India and Kuwait: Schedule

Start time for the game is 7:30 PM (IST).

Where will the SAFF Championship 2023 be shown on television? India vs. Kuwait in the SAFF 2023 Final.

The SAFF 2023 Final between India and Kuwait can be seen live on Star Sports Network.

SAFF 2023 Final between India and Kuwait: Live Streaming App

On the Fancode app and website, viewers can watch India vs. Kuwait in the SAFF 2023 Final live stream.

Live Streaming of the SAFF 2023 Final between India and Kuwait: Likely Starting 11

India Team: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal and a back four of Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, and Akash Mishra are the Blue Tigers' preferred lineups. Sahal Abdul Samad will play central midfield and the double pivot will consist of Jeakson Singh and Anirudh Thapa. With Sunil Chhetri serving as the primary striker, Naorem Mahesh Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte will be playing on the wings. 

Director: Igor Timac.

Kuwaiti Team: According to reports, Kuwait would use a 4-2-3-1 formation with a goalkeeper in Abdulrahman Kameel and a back four consisting of Abdullah Al Baloushi, Khalid El Ebrahim, Hasan Al Enezi, and Hamad Al Qallaf. The midfield three of Fawaz Al Otaibi, Hamad Al Harbi, and Ali Khalaf will consist of Eid Naser Al Rashedi and Mubarak Al Faneni are waiting in the wings. The lone forward striker will be Shabib Al Khaldi.

The manager: Rui Bento 

    

READ MORE ...