SAFF Championship / India cut the ticket for the final, Lebanon was beaten in the semi-finals

SAFF Championship: In the second semi-final match of the SAFF Championship, the Indian football team defeated Lebanon in the penalty shoot-out and qualified for the finals. After the end of the match time, when both the teams could not score even in the extra time, the match went to the penalty. While India scored on all four occasions, Lebanon managed only two goals.

These players shine in penalty

The Indian team made it to the finals of the SAFF Championship for the second time in a row. India and Lebanon could not score in extra time after regulation time, after which the decision was taken by penalty shoot-out. Charismatic strikers Sunil Chhetri, Anwar Ali, Naurem Mahesh Singh and Udanta Singh Kumam scored for an in-form Indian team. On the other hand, Walid Shoor and Mohamed Sadek could only find goals for Lebanon, while Hassan Matok and Khalil Bader missed.

A clinical penalty shootout sees INDIA 🇮🇳 progress to the #SAFFChampionship2023 FINAL!💙#LBNIND ⚔️ #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/RH2luMdcOt

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 1, 2023

Team India has not lost a single match in this tournament so far. He had defeated Pakistan and Nepal. At the same time, their last group match against Kuwait ended in a 1-1 draw. Now he has continued the winning streak by defeating Lebanon. India had held Lebanon to a goalless draw in a league match of the Intercontinental Cup in Odisha earlier this month. After that, he won the title by defeating him 2-0 in the final of the tournament. India has once again made Lebanon taste the defeat.

India eyes on becoming champions for the ninth time

India has reached the final of this tournament for the 13th time. He has become the champion eight times. The team has been runner-up four times. Under the captaincy of Sunil Chhetri, the Indian team will be eyeing to become the champion for the ninth time.

What did captain Sunil Chhetri say about the match?

After the match, Chhetri said, "It was a tough match. Playing against Lebanon is not easy. We did well. We are not thinking about the finals right now. After leaving here, we will rest and then prepare for the final.

Coach Stimac's services not received

The Indian team once again did not get the services of head coach Igor Stimac. The former Croatia legend was shown his second red card during the tournament during the match against Kuwait. Stimac was also shown a red card in the first match against Pakistan. For this reason he was out of the dugout in the match against Nepal. Stimac has been banned for two matches for his red card against Kuwait. Apart from this, he also had to pay Rs 41,000 as fine.