SAFF Championship 2023 Final: Kuwait vs India Live Updates

Published at :July 4, 2023 at 10:04 PM

Modified at :July 6, 2023 at 2:47 AM

6:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Kuwait vs India final match in the SAFF Championship 2023. The kick-off is just one hour away! I am your host Aishwarya Chakraborty and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

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SAFF Championship 2023 Final: Kuwait vs India - Build-up

India will face off against Kuwait to defend their SAFF Championship 2023 crown as history beckons. The Blue Tigers are currently enjoying an extraordinary run of form under head coach Igor Stimac and will look to add one more feather to their hat come Tuesday. The tournament has staged breath-taking performances so far and now it’s time for a picture perfect ending.

https://youtu.be/vsLQCGsVW6s

It is more than just an ordinary final because of what happened both on and off the pitch the last time India met Kuwait. It’s going to be a special contest between the two best teams of the tournament but there can only be one winner.

The Stakes

Kuwait

Kuwait were expected to do well given the quality they possess in their ranks. It has been a very fruitful tournament for them so far. They came into the final after a hard fought 1-0 win against Bangladesh in extra-time.

The last time they faced off against the Blue Tigers, it was an end-to-end contest where they stood tall and fought very well. Kuwait finished at the top of their group ahead of India and will take some motivation from that going into the ultimate clash.

India

The stakes are expectedly very high for India because they are the defending champions and will be keen to add their record ninth title come Tuesday. The Blue Tigers come into the game after a fiery contest against Lebanon in the semi-final where they won 4-2 on penalties.

https://youtu.be/El4zLVrVSGM

For India, it’s more than just a game as they continue their rise in Asia. It is a second final in a row for India after they won the Hero Intercontinental Cup last month. Pressure and expectations are running high as India are the host nation and losing is just not an option as the whole of India will be watching.

Injury & Team News

Kuwait are expected to have a fully fit squad available for the final.

India will miss out on the services of head coach Igor Stimac and forward Rahim Ali who are out due to suspension. However, Sandesh Jhingan will be back in the line-up after serving his suspension.

Head-to-head

Kuwait and India have faced each other twice where Kuwait have won once and the other tie ended in a draw.

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

Predicted Line-ups

Kuwait (4-2-3-1)

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

India (4-2-3-1)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri, Naorem Mahesh Singh