India Enters SAF Championship Final with Dramatic Penalty Shootout Win Over Lebanon

2023-07-02 01:21:58

Bengaluru: India entered the finals of the SAF Championship. India reached the final following beating strong Lebanon 4-2 in a long semi-final battle that went to the penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s brilliant performance was crucial in India’s victory. India will face Kuwait in the final on Tuesday.

The game ended in a goalless draw following regular time and extra time, leading to a shootout. Captain Sunil Chhetri, Anwar Ali, Mahesh Singh and Udanta Singh, who kicked for India, found the target while Gurpreet Gurpreet saved Lebanese player Hasan Matuk’s kick. Khalil Bader’s shot goes wide. Only Walid Shaur and Mohammad Sadek might see the target.

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The match started with a good attack by Lebanon. Nader Matar’s shot flew over the bar following receiving the ball following a combination of Matt and Zane Ferran. Gurpreet’s excellent saves often came to India’s rescue. The Indian players missed many opportunities throughout the match.

Goalkeeper Gurpreet saved Zane Ferran’s shot in the eighth minute. India squandered a golden opportunity in the 20th minute. Aniruth Thapa’s cross but Pritam Kotal who was in front of the post might not put it in the net. In the 31st minute, Gurpreet came to India’s rescue once more by hitting Matuk’s goal-scoring free kick. Gurpreet’s crucial save in the 42nd minute also saved India.

In the 83rd minute, Lebanon shocked India with another breakthrough. Ferran advanced with the ball and passed it to Matuk. But the star’s shot went over the bar.

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Chhetri missed a golden opportunity in the 96th minute of the extra time match. Chhetri, who was standing right in front of the cross box given by Udant Singh, kicked it out. Meanwhile, Chhetri’s shot was saved by Lebanon goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil in the 94th minute. Udanta Singh’s shot was saved by Mehdi Khalil following a good move in the 113th minute. Jackson Singh was unable to net the rebound ball.

Kuwait entered the final following beating Bangladesh 1-0 in the first semi-final.

English Summary: India defeated Lebanon 4-2 on penalties following it ended goalless post extra time, in the semi-final of the SAFF Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday to book their spot in the summit clash of the competition.

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