India Advances to SAFF Football Championship Final After Beating Lebanon in Penalty Shootout; Set to Face Kuwait on July 4

The Indian football team has secured a spot in the final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship following a thrilling victory over Lebanon. In the semifinals, India emerged triumphant with a 4-2 scoreline in the penalty shootout. The match had ended goalless, necessitating the shootout to determine the winner.

India will now face Kuwait in the championship final, scheduled for July 4. Kuwait secured their place in the final by defeating Bangladesh 1-0 in the other semifinal clash. This marks India's 13th appearance in the SAFF Championship final, having previously won the tournament eight times and finishing as runners-up on four occasions.

No goals in regular or extra time

The SAFF Championship matches are being held at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. In the first semifinal, Kuwait secured a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh. The second semifinal between India and Lebanon ended in a goalless draw after 90 minutes of regulation time. The match proceeded to extra time, but neither team managed to find the back of the net. As a result, a penalty shootout was employed to determine the winner.

Thrilling Penalty Shootout:

Penalty 1: India's Sunil Chhetri scores, giving India a 1-0 lead.

Penalty 2: Hassan Matouk of Lebanon misses his penalty; score remains 1-0 to India.

Penalty 3: India's Anwari Ali scores, extending India's lead to 2-0.

Penalty 4: Walid of Lebanon scores, with Indian goalkeeper Gurinder Singh Sandhu unable to save it; score becomes 2-1.

Penalty 5: Mahesh Singh scores for India, restoring their 2-goal lead at 3-1.

Penalty 6: Mohamed Sadiq scores for Lebanon; score narrows to 3-2.

Penalty 7: India's Udanta Singh successfully converts his penalty, taking India to a 4-2 lead.

Penalty 8: Khali Bader of Lebanon takes a shot, but goalkeeper Gurinder Sandhu makes an excellent save; India wins 4-2.

Second victory over Lebanon this month

This win against Lebanon marks the second victory for the Indian team over them in the month of June. They had previously defeated Lebanon in the final of the Intercontinental Cup.

India's pursuit of the 9th SAFF Championship title

India holds the record for the most SAFF Championship titles, having won the tournament eight times. With the final match against Kuwait looming, the Indian team aims to clinch their 9th SAFF Championship title.