NEW DELHI: India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was the star of India's penalty shootout victory against Kuwait at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
India were leading 5-4 thanks to Mahesh Singh's goal in the penalty shootout when Kuwait skipper Khaled Hajiah lined up to take the penalty.
Hajiah's right kick aimed to the left of the goal but a flying Sandhu dived in the nick of time to punch out the ball much to the delight of the Indian fans.
This is India's third title this season after lifting the Tri-nations and Intercontinental Cup.
It was skipper Sunil Chhetri who opened India's account in the shootout. Mohammed Abdullah's shot, taken in a cauldron, struck the crossbar.
1/10:India beat Kuwait in penalty shootout to win 9th SAFF Championships title
IANS
2/10:India beat Kuwait
<p>A gritty India battled past Kuwait 5-4 on sudden death to lift the SAFF Championship for the ninth time at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday. </p>PTI
3/10:India's third title this season
<p>It was India's third title this season after lifting the Tri-nations and Intercontinental Cup. </p>TNN
4/10:Sunil Chhetri
<p>The battle of equals thrilled more than 26,380 fans at the stadium for 120 minutes before skipper Sunil Chhetri opened India's account in the shootout. </p>PTI
5/10:Lallianzuala Chhangte
<p>Mohammed Abdullah's shot, taken in a cauldron, struck the crossbar. That set the tone as Lallianzuala Chhangte made it 2-0 before Kuwait clawed back to 2-3. </p>PTI
6/10:Udanta Singh
<p>Udanta Singh then sent his spot kick over the goal, allowing Abdulaziz Mahran to tie the score at 3-3. </p>PTI
7/10:Shabib Al Khaldi
<p>Subashish Bose held his nerve and made it 4-3 but Shabib Al Khaldi again pulled the visitors level. </p>PTI
8/10:Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
<p>Young Mahesh Singh made no mistake in sudden death and then tired Kuwait skipper Khaled Hajiah's weak shot was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. </p>PTI
9/10:Exciting action
<p>The exciting action between the two teams, unbeaten in their last 10 matches, saw Kuwait press hard early before India fought their way back and stretched the rival defence.</p>PTI
10/10:1-1 after regulation and extra time
<p>Both teams had their chances but the match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time. The hosts went close in the second half added time but it was the visitors who had an even better chance. </p>PTILallianzuala Chhangte made it 2-0 before Kuwait clawed back to 2-3. Udanta Singh then sent his spot kick over the goal, allowing Abdulaziz Mahran to tie the score at 3-3. Subashish Bose held his nerve and made it 4-3 but Shabib Al Khaldi again pulled the visitors level.
Young Mahesh Singh made no mistake in sudden death and when Kuwait skipper Khaled Hajiah's shot was saved by Sandhu, it was the moment the massive crowd was sent into a frenzy.
