SAFF Championship 2023: India vs Kuwait Live Updates

7:00 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the India vs Kuwait match in the SAFF Championship 2023. The kick-off is just thirty minutes away! I am your host Aishwarya Chakraborty and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating afternoon of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

SAFF Championship 2023: India vs Kuwait - Build-up

The quest to win Group A of the 2023 SAFF Championship will see tournament favourites Kuwait and India clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on 27 June 2023. Igor Stimac and his side are already in the knockout stages after winning their games against Pakistan and Nepal. Similarly, their upcoming opponents have also secured a place in the semis by winning their opening two fixtures in a convincing manner.

https://youtu.be/qRFRJjq4mvo

In what is set to be an entertaining clash between two in-form teams, pressure will be on the Indian side despite having the support of fans inside the stadium. Kuwait is one of the two teams who were invited to participate at the 2023 SAFF Championship and have the calibre to hand the hosts a defeat.

The Stakes

India

India has a streak of eight clean sheets in a row heading into the fixture against Kuwait. It serves to depict the kind of form they are in. However, as the qualification into the knockout stages is already secured, the coaching staff may opt to make a few changes to the starting line-up and give game-time to fringe players of the squad while resting key players like Sunil Chhetri. 

As winning the group has a positive effect on morale, India will aim for the win for sure. It will be a good opportunity for bench warmers to make an impact and deliver for the national team.

Kuwait

Kuwait are an invited team at the tournament and the third-highest men’s football team (in the competition) in terms of FIFA Rankings at 143. They are already in the knockout stages as expected by several experts before the 2023 SAFF Championship began. 

Despite India having the backing of the fans, the Al-Azraq will aim to cause an upset and finish as group winners to get a favourable fixture in the next round.  

Head-to-head

India and Kuwait have locked horns thrice before this encounter.

India wins – 1

Kuwait wins – 2

Draws- 0

Also Read: India vs Kuwait: All-time head-to-head record

Predicted Line-ups

India (4-2-3-1)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Jeakson Singh, Rohit Kumar, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan Rahim Ali.

Kuwait (4-2-3-1)

Al-Saanoun, Al-Bloushi, Hajiah, Al-Enezi, Muhaisen, Khalaf, Al-Enezi, Al-Rashidi, Dashti, Al-Faneeni, Al-Awadi