Ratings: Gurpreet stands tall as India race into SAFF Championship 2023 finale

The match remained goalless in regulation time and extra time and was decided in penalties.

India are through to the final of the SAFF Championship 2023 and what a performance it has been by the Blue Tigers. It was a performance to be proud of in an end-to-end contest with a highly-ranked Lebanon side. India were the better team for the majority of the game with Lebanon having a fair share of chances to score.

It was a tale of missed and unconverted chances as both teams failed to score in 120 minutes and the winner had to be decided through penalties. It was a picture perfect ending to probably the most intense match in the tournament so far as India booked a meeting with Kuwait in the SAFF Championship final with the hope to defend their title.

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On that note, let us take a look at how the players performed.

Lebanon (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Mehdi Khalil (GK) - 6.5

Denied Chhetri inside the box in the first half of extra time, with an outstanding stretch after rushing out of position. Sweeped a Chhangte shot with his feet next. Replaced by Ali Sabeh in the 113th minute.

Hussein El Zein - 6

Manned the flanks for the entirety of normal time before giving way to Khalil Bader at the beginning of extra time.

Walid Shour - 6.5

Had a tough night marking the likes of Sahal, Chhetri, Ashique and Chhangte, which was visible when he got booked for dissent. Vigilant till the death as he intercepted a few more crucial balls. Scored his penalty with a well-placed bottom-corner finish.

Felix Melki- 6.5

The towering defender swept away some threatening balls and kept Lebanon in the game. Played as an extra frontman to try and finish off the game in extra time and even dribbled past three players on one instance.

Zein Farran - 6.5

Pushed high up and combined with his teammates to whip in a few crosses that led to shots on target which ended up being too comfortable for Gurpreet. Failed to convert a golden cutback from Hassan Maatouk in the second half.

Hassan Srour - 6

Positioned in a number six role and helped his side advance by stringing together passes and regulating possession. 

Ali Dhaini - 6

Combative display from the medio as he often outmuscled the likes of Rohit Kumar and Jeakson but committed fouls as well.

Mahdi Zein - 6

Played out wide but was tasked with keeping possession and looking for spaces between the lines and behind the Indian defence. 

Hassan Maatouk - 6

Played almost as a second striker/ False No. 9 hybrid role belying his attacking midfielder position on-paper. Created some wonderful chances which his teammates failed to convert and did a fantastic job tracking back. Skied a chance at the death and messed up his penalty with a predictable shot.

Ali Markabawi - 6

Went into the book but tried his best to outrun Pritam Kotal and even succeeded a few times. Replaced by Karim Darwich in the 53rd minute.

Naadir Matar - 6

Latched onto a through ball past Anwar Ali on one instance. Shot tantalisingly close to the far post but it grazed wide. Went into the book for a deliberate but intelligent tug on Akash Mishra and was stretchered off for treatment in the 120th minute, giving way to Omar Sadek. 

Substitutes

Karim Darwich - 6

Played the perfect target man after coming on as he popped up between Anwar and Mehtab and tried to head a ball past Gurpreet after a flowing Lebanon move. Booked by the referee for fouling Chhangte with a rash challenge.

Khalil Bader - 5.5

Had an effort on goal that came agonisingly close to curling into the far post in the dying minutes of extra time. Literally handed India the game after roofing his penalty shot into the stands.

Ali Sabeh - 5.5

Was brought on to specifically help edge India over spot kicks but either dived the wrong way or couldn’t do much to save any shot.

Omar Sadek - 6.5

Did his job and scored his penalty after coming on.

India (By Yash Pratap Singh)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK) - 9.5

India’s man of the match! Gurpreet stood tall in a 1v1 situation against Hussain Zein and even denied Maatouk thrice by saving his direct free-kicks, including a phenomenal fingertip save. He came off his line multiple times to neutralise the danger from Lebanon. And most importantly, he came to India’s rescue in the penalties and helped the Blue Tigers make it to their second consecutive final.

Pritam Kotal - 7.5

Kotal was solid at the back with his crucial defensive contributions. He pulled off perfectly-timed tackles and challenges. Moreover, he also made overlapping runs and created chances for the Blue Tigers.

Anwar Ali - 8.5

Anwar was very good with his ball distribution and passing. He even tested the keeper with a long ranger from more than 35 yards out. Ali also pulled off crucial headed clearances inside India’s penalty box alongside important blocks and interceptions. He also gave away a couple of unnecessary fouls in extra time. Anwar calmly converted his penalty to perfection.

Mehtab Singh - 7.0

He was a bit shaky with his game today. He played quite a few misplaced passes which could have cost India heavily. He also made a clumsy challenge in the first half and conceded an unnecessary yellow card. Apart from that, Mehtab made important clearances and blocks.

Subhasish Bose - 7.5

It was a busy outing for Subhasish on the left flank. He executed his challenges and interceptions to perfection on most occasions. Moreover, he combined well with Ashique and made overlapping runs in order to create chances for India.

Jeakson Singh - 8.5

India’s midfield tank, Jeakson stood tall amidst all the pressure. He won the ball in crucial areas, came back to form a back-three every time the full-backs went forward. He could have opened the scoring had he taken a shot when he was clear on goal. He delivered a crucial key pass in extra time but India’s forwards couldn't make the most out of it.

Sahal Abdul Samad - 8.0

Sahal didn’t execute all his plans to perfection but still managed to trouble Lebanon with his skills. He executed a few key passes and was India’s creative spark in the middle. Sahal combined well with the forwards and created a couple of chances, but couldn’t provide a finishing touch.

Anirudh Thapa - 8.0

Thapa set the tone right for India to attack every time he had the ball. He sent in good balls into the box and picked up his overlapping teammates, combined well in the middle and acted as a link between defence and attack. He even made crucial interceptions in his own half. In short, he was everywhere.

Lallianzuala Chhangte - 9.0

He was brilliant with his quick feet and trickery on the ball. But he did waste a couple of good chances by taking shots which went off target. Chhangte needs to be more decisive at times with his moves on the pitch in order to get better results moving forward. He kept on creating chances and piling up the pressure until the last minute. His last minute attempt was denied by the keeper.

Sunil Chhetri - 9.0

Who would believe that Chhetri is 38? He was at peak with his high press and constant efforts to win the ball. The skipper tried to create chances for his teammates every time he won the ball in the middle. Chhetri got a couple of chances which went unconverted in extra time. He scored the first penalty in the tie-breaker as India sealed the deal.

Ashique Kuruniyan - 7.5

He was very active on the left flank. Ashqiue created dangerous and goal-scoring chances with his pace and trickery. He even tracked back to help his teammates and made a few important interceptions. The winger put in a good shift on the left flank for India.

Substitutes

Nikhil Poojary - 7.5

Nikhil came on in the 58th minute to replace Kotal. He came on and started to combine well with Chhangte on the right flank. Nikhil also pulled off a couple of important interceptions and blocks. He lost the ball and almost helped Lebanon initiate a counter-attack, before making up for his mistake.

Naorem Mahesh Singh - 8.0

He came on late in the second half to replace Sahal Abdul Samad. He came in and started to do what he does best. He was handed the responsibility of free-kicks and corners for India and he did a pretty decent job. Mahesh created a very good chance which was also unconverted. He converted his spot kick and helped India win the tie.

Rohit Kumar - 7.5

He was brought on as a replacement for Anirudh Thapa. He registered a good display in the middle and was decent with his ball control and distribution. Rohit pulled off the most important interception for India late in extra time.

Akash Mishra - 8.0

He replaced Subhasish Bose at the left-back position. Akash Mishra came in and hit the ground running. He made important clearances and interceptions. He even initiated a lightning quick counter-attack and kept on sending mouth-watering balls into the box.

Udanta Singh - 8.0

He came on very late in the second half as a replacement for Ashique. He created a very good chance for Chhetri with a good-looking cross into the box in extra time but the skipper couldn’t convert it. He dribbled past defenders and created a chance for himself late in the game, but his attempt on goal was denied by the keeper. Udanta converted his penalty with a cool and calm mind.