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Watch: Bengaluru crowd sings ‘Maa Tujhe Salam’ as India become SAFF 2023 Champions

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Watch: Bengaluru crowd sings ‘Maa Tujhe Salam’ as India become SAFF 2023 Champions

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The fans in Bengaluru Football Stadium were treated to yet another thrilling finish, unlike the Semi Final clash against the Lebanon team. The Indian Football team went on to win their ninth SAFF title by defeating Kuwait in the summit clash at Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on the night of July 4.

The India national side went on to defeat Kuwait in the finals on the penalties to lift their second Title in a row. But this victory was even more special because the Blue Tigers went on to win the ultimate title in front of their home crowd in Bangalore. The game against Kuwait was considered to be a tough game as Kuwait were a team who were coming into the competition with some fine form. However, the fans made the occasion even more memorable with their inducing nature at the end of the game when they chanted every player’s name.

One can simply imagine 25000 plus people in the stadium and all of them together singing AR Rahman’s ‘Vande Mataram’ in a jam-packed stadium when Blue Tigers won the game and lifted the trophy in a historic manner. Also, The crowd which was very vocal all throughout the night in their support of India burst into a thunderous ovation when goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved Kuwait skipper Khaled Hajiah’s shot to hand India the victory.

Coming back to the game, after five rounds of penalty kicks, the score line remained 4-4 and the sudden death rule was applied. But when it counted the most, Mahesh Naorem scored but a diving Sandhu denied Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiah’s shot and top the wild celebration of the home fans as well as at the India dugout. For India, captain Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Chhangte, Subasish Bose, and Mahesh converted their penalties while Udanta Singh missed.

Moreover, Lallianzuala Chhangte tied the score in the 39th minute of regulation time after Shabaib Al Khaldi had given Kuwait the lead in the 14th minute. India, the defending champion, and Kuwait also drew 1-1 in their final group game. This was India’s second victory in a penalty shootout. After defeating Lebanon 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the semifinal on July 1, they advanced to Tuesday’s summit match. In the shootout at the time, Sandhu had also produced a significant stop.

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