Sunil Chhetri scores the opening goal for India, Tragic Mistake by Anwar Ali helps Kuwait equalise with India in the last minute
“It’s not Anwar, it’s the country who conceded” says Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri struck a fantastic goal, but a late own goal by India allowed Kuwait battle back to tie 1-1 in the last Group A match of the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship 2023 here on Tuesday. Sunil Chhetri’s 92nd international goal, a precise volley, put India ahead at halftime in what was a high-tempo and high-tempered encounter from start to end. They got close but were unable to add to their goal total. An unlucky own goal by Anwar Ali in second-half injury time, however, put an end to India’s aspirations of topping the group.
The Match Analysis
India got out to a fast start, stifling Kuwait with pressing in the final and middle thirds. Naorem Mahesh Singh, who scored his first international goal the previous game, was causing havoc on the left wing. He picked out Akash Mishra on the overlap in the fifth minute, and the left-back fired an appealing delivery into the middle that flashed just beyond Sunil Chhetri’s grasp.
Throughout the game, India threatened with set-pieces, with the first chance coming from Mahesh’s corner, which Kuwait failed to clear and fell for Anwar Ali, whose attempt was poor and easily stopped on the line. India’s combative style resulted in a minor setback in the 14th minute, when Sandesh Jhingan was booked and suspended for Saturday’s semi-final.
Kuwait steadily gained control of the game, with Shabaib Al-Khaldi driving a loose ball over the crossbar in the 20th minute. After a beautiful pass from Al-Khaldi, Amrinder Singh made a fantastic save to deny Mohammad Abdullah’s close-range attempt five minutes later.
While Kuwait breathed a sigh of relief as Anwar headed wide from a Thapa corner, Chhetri made sure that was not the case the next time. Moments before halftime, facing another Thapa corner, the captain expertly buried the ball into the back of the net with a side-footed volley from 12 yards out, nearly hidden in plain sight against Kuwait is zonal marking. Sunil Chhetri only needed one chance to put India ahead.
Kuwait came out with much of urgency after the interval, and while Rui Bento’s side was given more time on the ball, India remained dominant in the defensive third. Amrinder superbly headed over Al-Khaldi’s free kick in the 57th minute. The best kind of defense is an attack, and as corny as it sounds, that is how Igor Stimac’s men functioned for much of the second half. Mahesh, who had switched positions with Lallianzuala Chhangte after the restart, whipped a powerful cross from the right that landed for Ashique Kuruniyan, who volleyed from a tight angle just over the bar.
Jeakson Singh Thounaojam was then given India’s next two opportunities. First, Sultan Al-Enezi blocked his shot, and then he headed Chhangte’s cross wide from the resulting corner. Jhingan demonstrated India’s defensive ability once more with a crunching tackle on Al-Khaldi, who was sent clean through on goal. The Kanteerava expressed its gratitude on the 29-year-old with thunderous cheers. Stimac was issued a red card after a disagreement with referee Alomgir as the game neared the final ten minutes, the Croatian’s second of the tournament.
Substitute Rohit Kumar had a wonderful chance to seal the Blue Tigers’ victory but could only head Udanta’s low cross from just outside the six-yard box. In the 84th minute, Amrinder made another excellent stop to his superb performance in goal, pushing aside a ferocious left-footed effort from Al-Khaldi. After Stimac was sent off for a foul on Sahal Abdul Samad in the Kuwait half, the West Asians hindered a rapid restart, leading in a melee in which Hamad Al-Qallaf and Rahim Ali were issued red. However, India’s seven-match clean-sheet streak came to a stop. Anwar Ali’s attempt to hook Abdullah Al-Bloushi’s harmless-looking cross from the right went into the Indian net.
The Crowd helped the Blue tigers to be proud of the match
While the scenes on the pitch were terrible, the Kanteerava crowd made sure to keep the Blue Tigers’ heads held high, singing the entire night to show how proud they were of their team, which fought till the end but was unlucky not to win.
The #BlueTigers and the fans show their support for Anwar Ali after the final whistle 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 27, 2023
Anwar, you were absolutely solid tonight. Keep your head high, we will all learn from this and grow stronger 💙#INDKUW ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/wzPT6FwXhg
Sunil Chhetri supported his teammate Anwar Ali
The Captain of the Blue Tigers Sunil chhetri supported Anwar Ali as it was a mistake and it could happen with anyone “It’s not Anwar, it’s the country who conceded. It’s an own goal. It can happen to anyone. We’re all professional enough to not talk about it. I hope the kid shrugs it off.”
Indian captain Sunil Chhetri shows his support for Anwar Ali after his own goal against Kuwait in the #SAFFChampionship2023
— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) June 28, 2023
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We support you Anwar Ali
