SAFF Championship 2023 Final: India meet Kuwait in aim to defend title

Kuwait are playing the competition for the first time and have made it to the final.

India will face off against Kuwait to defend their SAFF Championship 2023 crown as history beckons.

SAFF CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: KUWAIT VS INDIA: LIVE UPDATES

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.

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.

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Ahead of the final, let us take a look at how things stand ahead of the biggest clash of the SAFF Championship 2023.

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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLL1O_Pv9lQ

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

Players to watch

Mobarak Al-Faneeni (Kuwait)

The left-winger is Kuwait’s main man upfront and has goals to his name at the tournament. He is currently the top-scorer for Kuwait with two goals and will be keen to increase his tally come the ultimate clash.

The forward is lightning quick with his feet and very intelligent too! His pace, coupled up with his trickery and quick decision-making ability, makes him a very important asset for Kuwait and a threat to India in the SAFF Championship final.

Sunil Chhetri (India)

India’s main man Sunil Chhetri is expected to be the Blue Tigers’ messiah once again as they gear up to face the mighty Kuwait. Chhetri has been in phenomenal form for the Indian national team and has already scored five goals at the tournament. 

He is the top scorer of the SAFF Championship 2023 so far and will be keen to add a few more. Currently at 92 international goals for India, Chhetri is eyeing the 100 mark and is expected to get it done very soon. Numbers might say that he’s 38 but he is a different gravy on the pitch. Chhetri is the only one who can live up to the hope and belief of 1.4 billion Indians. 

Did You Know?

• India have never won against Kuwait.
• The Blue Tigers have conceded just one goal in their last 10 games, that too an own goal.
• The last time these two teams met, the game remained witness to three red cards.

Telecast

The match between Kuwait and India will kick off at 7:30 PM IST at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on July 4. The match will be streamed live on FanCode. Telecast will be available on DD Sports.