India, Kuwait To Clash Today In SAFF Championship 2023 Final
The SAFF Championship final match between India and Kuwait is set to take place on Tuesday, July 4, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
This will be India’s ninth successive final in the competition as they aim to defend their title.
India had a strong start to the tournament, winning their opening game against Pakistan 4-0 and securing a 2-0 victory against Nepal in their next match.
In their last group match, they played a draw against Kuwait. In the semi-final against Lebanon, India advanced to the final after winning the penalty shootout.
India’s captain Sunil Chhetri has been in excellent form, scoring in all three group stage games and tallying five goals so far in the competition.
Kuwait, on the other hand, started their campaign with convincing wins against Nepal (3-1) and Pakistan (4-0). They also had a draw against India in the group stage and a 1-0 victory against Bangladesh in the semi-final.
India enters the final as the favorites, despite their previous heavy defeat against Kuwait in a match before the tournament.
Kuwait has a history of success in Asian football, but India has shown progress and technical superiority throughout the SAFF Championship.
The key for India will be to maintain composure and focus, as Kuwait is expected to employ an aggressive style of play similar to their previous encounter.
India’s success has largely relied on Chhetri’s goal-scoring prowess, but other forwards will need to step up to avoid being solely dependent on him.
In terms of the lineup, India’s center-back Sandesh Jhingan will return from suspension, partnering with Anwar Ali in defense.
The midfield is likely to consist of Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Naorem Mahesh Singh.
The position behind Chhetri remains uncertain, with Sahal Abdul Samad and Ashique Kuruniyan being potential options.
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The SAFF Championship final match between India and Kuwait will start today (4th July) at 7:30 PM IST and will be broadcasted live on DD Bharati, DD Sports channels and FanCode app. The live streaming on TV channels is free but the app will require a paid subscription.
