ICY India’s belief spot on for title

Bengaluru: The battle of equals thrilled more than 26,380 fans under dazzling lights at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here for 120 minutes. After regulation time ended 1-1, India showed icy nerves to deny Kuwait in sudden death tie-breaker (5-4) to lift the SAFF Bangabandhu Championship 2023. In the shootout, skipper Sunil Chhetri opened the account for India, calmly slotting past Kuwaiti keeperAbdulrahman Marzouq. Mohammed Abdullah’s shot found the woodwork. The crowd went in raptures. That set the tone as Chhangte made it 2-0 before Kuwait clawed back to make it 2-3. Udanta then blasted over as Abdulaziz Mahran made it 3-3. Subashish Bose, calm and composed, made it 4-3 but Al Khaldi again pulled the visitors level. Young Mahesh Singh made no mistake in sudden death but the tired Kuwait skipper Khaled Hajiah’s feeble shot was saved by India goalie Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. It was the moment the massive crowd was waiting for, to sing and dance through the night. The exciting action, that kept the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the 120 minutes, saw Kuwait press hard early before India fought their way back and stretched the rival defence. Both teams had their chances but the match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time. It was India’s third title this season after lifting the tri-nations trophy and the Intercontinental Cup. The hosts went close in the second half added time but it was the visitors who had an even better chance. Mohd Abdullah managed a free run into the box and unleashed a powerful right footer that Sandhu saved with a diving stop. The Kuwaitis were slowly inching their way ahead and the India players went in for tackles and conceded a flurry of freekicks, Kuwait got one on the top of the box two minutes from close and Al Khaldi was going for the top corner before it hit the wall and looped out. Earlier, India had a great chance to take the lead in the 62nd minute after an even start to the second half. Set up by, who else but, Chhetri, winger Chhangte had only the goalkeeper to beat but the youngster only managed a weak shot. India assistant coach Mahesh Gawli, who was in charge in place of suspended head coach Igor Stimac, proved to be a calming influence on the bench as he tackled even difficult moments with a smile. It was Kuwait who drew first blood in the 15th minute. Mobarak Al Faneeni, one of the three players who were on the substitutes bench in their group match against India, always spelt danger whenever he drove in through the middle and left. The Kuwaitis broke free with Faneeni finding space through the middle through the Indian defenders. Before Sandhesh Jhingan and company realized the gravity of the danger, Faneeini relayed it to Abduallah Al Bloushi who wasted no time in setting up striker Shabaib Al Khaldi. The striker was in perfect place giving Sandhu no chance. The match was heading into the halftime break when India found the equalizer in the 38th minute with superb combination play scripted by Chhetri and scored by Chhangte. The skipper found Samad clear with a splitting pass, after forcing the Kuwait skipper to concede a throw in. Samad didnt pull the trigger, instead squared it to Chhangte who made it 1-1 without any fuss.