Chhetri displayed his skill and influence in the first half by scoring a crucial goal in injury time that powered India to victory. However, in extra time of the second half, an unfortunate own goal was scored. Anwar Ali The hopes of the home team getting the win were dashed. This is the first goal conceded by India in nine matches.
As a result of the draw, both India and Kuwait finished the group stage with seven points each. However, Kuwait claimed the top spot in Group A due to their superior goal average.
In the semi-finals, India will face Lebanon while Kuwait will face either Bangladesh or Maldives.
Both India and Kuwait, who have already qualified for the semi-finals, provided some entertaining moments ahead of the whistle.
India conducted its attacks from both sides, while Kuwait mainly relied on flying from the left during that passage.
The Blue Tigers almost went ahead in the sixth minute but Chhetri failed to connect with Akash Mishra’s cross. Kuwait also had their chances when Shadab Al Khaldi’s shot from just outside the box went inches over the bar in the 20th minute.
But, slowly but surely, India seized control of the match and could have scored the first goal in the 35th minute, but Anwar Ali’s header went wide. Anirudh Thapa The corner lacked the desired direction.
India’s relentless efforts paid off in injury time. Thapa took a low flag kick from the right and Chhetri fired a superb volley past Kuwait goalkeeper Abdul Rahman, whose desperate dive went in vain.
It was Chhetri’s fifth goal in three matches in this tournament and 24th overall in 26 SAFF Championship matches.
Leading 1-0, India stormed into the second half only to see their head coach Igor Stimac sent off for the second time in this tournament.
Stimac had a heated argument with the match officials and was eventually shown a red card in the 81st minute. The Croatian had earlier been given marching orders in the match against Pakistan for stopping his player from taking a throw-in.
But the tough moments didn’t end there as India’s Rahim Ali and Kuwait’s Al Kallaf were sent off.
A scuffle broke out after Kallaf pushed India’s Sahal down abdul samad In the 84th minute, Rahim pushed the Kuwaiti player to the ground. After that neither side had enough time to reach a conclusion.
(With PTI inputs)