Ratings: Warrior-like team spirit helps India lift SAFF Championship 2023

India were able to defend their SAFF Championship title from the previous edition.

India clinched the 2023 SAFF Championship title with a 1-1 (5-4) win over Kuwait in the final at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Tuesday. The Blue Tigers actually went behind in the 14th minute after Shabaib Al Khaldi put the visitors ahead. However, a brilliant team move saw Lallianzuala Chhangte's equalizer in the 39th minute - after which it turned into a rugged affair. 

None of the teams were able to find a winner and ultimately, a penalty shootout was forced. The Blue Tigers kept their nerves as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved the final penalty to help India retain their SAFF Championship title.

Here are the Player Ratings for the game.

Kuwait (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Abdulrahman Marzouq (GK) - 5.5

Scrambled in front of Sahal, unable to sweep up and collect his ball for the equaliser. Dove the wrong way for Chhetri and Jhingan’s penalty while being unable to save any of the rest. 

Abdullah Al Bloushi - 6.5

Bombed all the way upwards into the box, collecting from Al Faneeni and squaring it to Shabib Al-Khaldi for the goal. Collected a yellow as he bundled over Ashique Kuruniyan while vying for an aerial ball.

Hasan Al Enezi - 6

Hardly contested half an hour as he was replaced by the solid Al Harbi in the 28th minute.

Khaled Hajiah - 5.5

Dropped to mark Chhetri but instead left acres of space behind him for the captain’s pass to Sahal which eventually led to India’s equaliser. Missed the all-important penalty in the sudden death stage to concede the trophy to India.

Hamad Al Qallaf - 6

His bad temper got the better of him again as he entered the referee’s book for a foul on Anirudh Thapa. Taken off to avoid dismissals as Dashti came on in the 87th minute. 

Sultan Al Enezi - 5.5

Lapses in reacting and picking up a marker left Sahal free to ghost into space and square it to Chhangte for India’s equaliser. Went off for Abdulaziz Mehran in the 99th minute.

Redha Hani - 6

Shifted his weight and moved well in between lines of pressure from India but was not very decisive. Substituted for Fawaz Al Otaibi in the 87th minute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwuXlfvkg5o

Mobarak Al Faneeni - 6.5

Released Al Bloushi down the inside right channel for a simple cutback and goal. No solid output henceforth saw him leave the fray and give way to Al Rashidi in the 69th minute.

Ahmad Al Dhefeery - 6.5

Got booked in the first-half for dissent as he tried to protest against Al Bloushi’s offense. He went on to score his spot-kick in the shootout.

Mohammad Abdullah - 6

Set Al-Faneeni free on the right wing with a lofted through ball after displaying exquisite control to keep the ball in play for Kuwait’s opener. The winger marred his decent display after tugging Sunil Chhetri, as he became one of the six Kuwait players to get booked. Also, crashed his penalty against the crossbar. 

Shabaib Al Khaldi - 7

Managed to be in the right place at the right time as he slotted the ball home with a calm finish off Al Bloushi’s cutback. 

Substitutes

Hamad Al Harbi - 6.5

Failed to organise his defence for Chhangte’s goal but put on a solid display otherwise. 

Fawaz Al Otaibi - 7

Fluid in attacking as he almost got a shot on target if not for Nikhil Poojary’s swashbuckling defending. Converted his penalty with aplomb.

Mahdi Dashti - 6.5

Managed to keep a close watch on Chhangte and marked him decently.   

Eid Al Rashidi - 6.5

Embarked on adventurous and appeasing solo runs at times but couldn’t be a significant threat to Akash Mishra and co.

Abdulaziz Mahran - 6.5

Got a yellow for committing a foul after coming on but managed to tuck away his penalty with a good finish.

India (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK) – 7.0

Found himself in no-man land for the opening goal, but maintained his composure afterwards. Made a few solid saves and moved the ball around well. Came up big late in the penalty shootout, superbly saving the final penalty to win the final for India. 

Nikhil Poojary – 8.0

Poojary was a tenacious figure on the right, constantly making forward runs and swinging in dangerous crosses. Quite solid at the back too, making impressive recovery challenges to avert trouble.

Anwar Ali – N/A

Caught out for the Kuwait goal and picked up an injury after that, forcing an early substitution.

Sandesh Jhingan – 7.5

Jhingan was again a highly-alert figure at the back, popping up in all the right areas to avert danger. He came up with multiple clutch clearances to frustrate Kuwait and moved the ball forward well. Converted his penalty coolly. 

Akash Mishra – 5.0

Mishra had a tough time on the night, with the majority of Kuwait’s attacks coming through his side. He was caught napping for the opener and struggled against the intense attacks. Made some decent forward runs, but was unable to create anything major.

Jeakson Singh – 6.0

Jeakson wasn’t able to keep a hold of Kuwait’s counter-attacks and their movement from the central areas. Tried his best in shielding the backline and progressed the ball forward well.

Anirudh Thapa – 6.5

Thapa worked his socks off, covering a lot of ground to neutralize Kuwait’s quick attacks. Moved the ball around well and delivered some threatening set-pieces too.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 8.0

Sahal was a creative beacon for the Blue Tigers, helping move the ball into the right areas with his smart passes. Brilliantly got into the box before setting up the equalizer for Chhangte and was a positive energy all game long.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 8.5

The AIFF Men’s Player of the Year award winner was in fine form in this key game, slipping into all the right places. He brilliantly got at the end of Sahal’s pass to tap in the equalizer and looked a major threat throughout. Nearly scored a late winner in extra-time, only to see his attempt go wide. Made no mistake with his penalty either. 

Ashique Kuruniyan – 5.0

Ashique helped move the ball forward nicely from the left, but his defensive work was a bit flawed. Couldn’t create many direct chances, but had a role in the equalizer.

Sunil Chhetri – 7.5

Chhetri lead from the front by pressing almost every time Kuwait had the ball in their half. He had a role in the equalizer too, cleverly playing Sahal through into the box to set up for Chhangte. Had a few blistering attempts denied and maintained impressive energy levels all game long. Made no mistake converting his penalty. 

Substitutes

Mehtab Singh – 6.5

Mehtab came in as a surprising substitute after Ali’s injury and settled in well alongside Jhingan. He moved the ball forward well and also used his game-reading ability.

Rohit Kumar – 6.5

Kumar improved India’s ability to defend and neutralize Kuwait’s breaks, making some gritty challenges to help his side keep up with Kuwait’s attacks.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 6.0

Mahesh got into some impressive areas with his clever movement after coming on, but couldn’t really test the goalkeeper. 

Udanta Singh – 5.0

Udanta slipped into some promising areas with his smart forward runs, but was unable to create anything significant. Blasted his penalty over, unfortunately. 

Subashish Bose – N/A

Came on for the last bit of the game and helped India make the penalty-shootout, where he took a great penalty himself.