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SAFF Championship: How far is India from being a Pro Football Team? – Details Inside

ByVikash Singh

Jun 28, 2023 #football

India’s performance in the SAFF Championship 2023 was a mixed bag. They started the tournament with a convincing 4-0 win over Pakistan, but then drew their next two matches against Nepal and Kuwait. The 1-1 draw against Kuwait was particularly disappointing, as it ended India’s eight-match clean sheet streak.

Despite the draws, India still finished second in Group A and qualified for the semifinals. They faced Lebanon in the semifinals, and the match was evenly contested. India took the lead in the first half, but Lebanon equalized in the second half. The match went to extra time, and then to penalties, where India lost 4-2. Overall, India’s performance in the SAFF Championship 2023 was a step in the right direction. They showed that they can compete with the best teams in the region, but they still have some work to do if they want to win the tournament.


The India vs Kuwait match in the SAFF Championship 2023 was a thrilling encounter that ended in a 1-1 draw. Sunil Chhetri scored the opening goal for India in the 18th minute, but Kuwait equalized through an own goal from Anwar Ali in the 52nd minute. The match was then marred by three red cards, as India head coach Igor Stimac and Rahim Ali were sent off for the hosts, while Kuwait footballer Alqallaf was also sent off.

The draw meant that Kuwait topped Group A while India finished second. India will now face the runners-up of Group B in the semi-finals, while Kuwait will face the winners of Group B.

Here are some of the key moments from the match:

  • Sunil Chhetri scored his 84th international goal to give India the lead.
  • Anwar Ali scored an own goal to equalize for Kuwait.
  • Three red cards were shown in the match, including one for India head coach Igor Stimac.
  • The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The India vs Kuwait match was a close and exciting encounter that could have gone either way. Both teams had their chances to win, but in the end, they had to settle for a draw. The match was also marred by some controversy, as three red cards were shown. However, overall, it was a good match that was entertaining to watch.

Here are some of the stats from the match:

  • India had 53% possession.
  • Kuwait had 12 shots on goal, while India had 10.
  • India had 4 yellow cards, while Kuwait had 1.
  • The match was played in front of a crowd of 12,000 people.

Also Read: Viru’s Top 4: Virender Sehwag Predicts the Semi-finalists for ICC World Cup 2023


Here are some of the key takeaways from India’s performance in the SAFF Championship 2023:

  • Sunil Chhetri is still the team’s talisman. He scored two goals in the tournament, including a late equalizer against Kuwait.
  • The team’s defense is still a work in progress. They conceded two goals in their last two group stage matches.
  • The team needs to be more clinical in front of goal. They had several chances to win the match against Lebanon, but they failed to convert them.

Overall, India’s performance in the SAFF Championship 2023 was a positive one. They showed that they are capable of competing with the best teams in the region, and they will be looking to build on this performance in the future.

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