22 December 2024

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India had entered deep waters over the past four days. Over 240 minutes of physically grueling football against two fine teams in Kuwait and Lebanon. A penalty shootout was needed to decide these intense matches.

Enter Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

AFC championship at stakeBengaluru goalkeeper guesses correctly, fuzzy to his left, and stops Kuwait captain Khaled Hajia’s penalty kick. For the second time in four days, India win on penalties – this time to win their second team trophy in two weeks.

Facing Lebanon, Sandu’s celebrations were muted. Against Kuwait, the Indian regent had to admit himself with a bow as a swarm of Indian players ran to outflank him. Sandhu’s efforts were the cherry on the cake the Indian football team’s performance over the past few weeks.

To put it in context – nine matches, two goals conceded, 13 scored, two cups won. Look beyond the results, and you’ll find a team that has played beyond expectations over the past few years. India has raised the standard of football – playing in attack, dominating midfield and defending in numbers.

This was despite Kuwait’s best attempts to call out the Dark Arts in the final and disrupt this fresh looking Indian team at every turn.

Kuwait’s strategy for the final became clear after just 10 minutes. In their previous group stage encounter, India managed to win the midfield battle. But the visitors came prepared this time. A higher defensive line means that the gap between their defensive line and their player furthest down the field is greatly reduced. This meant that the midfield was crowded – which meant that a team with players of better technical ability would shine.

It also allowed Kuwait’s players wider to stretch their legs and bypass the Indian wings. After just 14 minutes into the match, the Indian goal was breached first.

In the last practice session, India coach Igor Stimak was seen telling the players, “If we lose the ball, within three seconds, everyone should be behind the ball.” It is that spirit that this Indian team needs to build on, but it still lacks. There was not enough midfield traced as Kuwait ran unchecked into the Indian half in a counter-attack. Mubarak Al-Fani fetched the ball and waited for an overlapping run from right-back Abdullah Al Balushi – a run that should have been caught by Ashik Koronian. But instead, Al Balushi ran into the penalty area, got the ball and then squared it to Shabib Al Khalidi, who kicked it into the net for an easy shot.

India responded quickly – a deep ball brought down by right winger Lallianzuala Chhangte. The ball was then slapped towards goal by a left footed shot from Sunil Chhetri. The Kuwait goalkeeper hit the ball and almost allowed Changti to score from the counter.

But in the 38th minute, India, still looking to regain some control of their midfield, scored an impressive goal – another goal in a tournament that saw a few fine moves from the hosts.

It all started with a loose ball that Curonian drifted into the left side of the Kuwait box. His dribbling can be lazy at times, lulling opponents so they don’t kick his heels. Perhaps that was why he was able to slip a pass to Chhetri, who was just outside the penalty area.

Using the outside of his left boot, the India captain used his finest needles, split the Kuwaiti defense and flicked the ball into the penalty area. Sahel Abdul Samad played a free run after that magical pass, and just as it looked like he was going to pull the trigger, the Kerala Blasters midfielder volleyed the ball across the Kuwaiti penalty area to the unmarked Changty, who tapped it in. At the end of the first half, the results were level.

Tight competition

If the first half was difficult with each team trying to impose their style of play, the second half opened the game up. But one thing that has remained constant is Kuwait’s time-wasting tactics – be it deliberate violence, taking small steps, making mistakes and faking injuries. It was clear that the visitors were tired and every break in play was a welcome respite.

By the 66th minute, India had two yellow cards and Kuwait three. Poor tackles from both sides meant the red card appeared to be a case of when rather than if. At one point in the 80th minute, cameras caught Chhetri with folded hands, and defenders Sandesh Jinghan and Nikhil Pujari begged to keep calm.

Just as the match seemed to be heading towards extra time, Kuwait almost scored in the 91st minute. A low shot to the right of Gurpreet was fired by striker Mohammed Daham. But the Indian goalkeeper jumped low and managed to keep the scores level. After a few minutes, the referee blows the whistle and the match will have to be decided in extra time.

Thirty minutes of extra time came and went with the Indians holding on very carefully. The excessive number of matches over a short period seemed to have taken its toll as the pressure dropped and the legs started to show some fatigue at the end. Neither team could capitalize and the match went to penalties.

Chhetri went to the right of the goal and the rest of the team followed suit. Kuwait missed the first penalty as Daham hit the crossbar. Jing’an and Changty scored next but Odanta Singh headed the ball over the crossbar. On score level, substitutes Subhashish Bose and Mahesh Singh Naorim scored their kicks and Kuwait didn’t miss any until Hajia stepped up and had his try saved by Sandhu.



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