India vs Kuwait Highlights, SAFF Championship 2023: Kuwait Equalize In Extra Time To Deny India Victory, IND 1-1 KUW

It ends all square at the Fortress.

Up next, the #SAFFChampionship2023 semifinals. #INDKUW #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/WpwBibd7kk, — Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) June 27, 2023

8 minutes have been added to the game. Tempers are flaring on both sides. GOAL!!! Kuwait equalizes. India's Anwar Ali does a self-goal in an effort to clear the ball. IND 1-1 KUW (93")

India coach Igor Stimac has been handed another red card. Mahesh Gawli will take over the responsibility on sidelines. 

Both sides have played some intense football. Kuwait's defence has been top notch in the 2nd half. However, India look for their 2nd goal. 

In whatever action we have seen in the 2nd half, Kuwait has been aggressive in their possession. IND 1-0 KUW (58")

India have taken a crucial lead as Sunil Chhetri scores his 24th goal (highest) in SAFF Championship history. IND 1-0 KUW (Half time)

The stadium has erupted as India captain Sunil Chhetri capitalises on a tremendous pass by Thapa. IND 1-0 KUW (47")

3 minutes added to the first half. No goals have been added on the tally on either side. 

Kuwait just missed out on a huge opportunity to score. The scoreline is 0-0 but it does not justify the intensity with which it has been played. 

Yellow card for Sandesh Jhingan for a supposed aggressive tackle by him. Free Kick for Kuwait but damage averted. 

This game so far has been a mixed bag for both the sides. India's possession has been spot on. Kuwait, slightly, laid back for now.

The possession so far has been even between both sides. CHANCE for India goes begging as Sunil Chhetri just missed out. 

Both teams are done with their respective national anthems. We are just few minutes away from the kick-off.

India have faced Kuwait three times at the senior level (one win, two defeats). The previous meeting came in a 2010 friendly in Abu Dhabi, which ended up in a 1-9 hammering for India. The only time the Blue Tigers beat the West Asians was in a 3-2 friendly win in 2004 in Kuwait City.

Your #BlueTigers XI for #INDKUW #SAFFChampionship2023 #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/xrQfbrdV8T, — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 27, 2023

Stimac served his one-match suspension in the last game against Nepal, where the Blue Tigers made sure not to feel his absence and ran out 2-0 winners. There were eight changes to the side that thrashed Pakistan on the opening day, and while India struggled to get into gear in the first half, they got the job done in the second.

"Result-wise, there's not much in it apart from getting a bit easier opponents in the semi-final. We'll approach this game as any other game and try to win it. Keeping a clean sheet is always our first goal," said head coach Igor Stimac, reiterating the significance of his strong defence, which hasn't conceded in the last eight matches.

For India, only a win will earn them pole position since they trail Kuwait on goals scored.

Both teams are level on points (6) and goal difference (+6) and have already qualified for the semi-finals. As such, the winners will determine who tops the group and takes on the second-placed side from Group B in the last four.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the semifinal match between India and Kuwait in the SAFF Championship from Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Stay tuned for all the latest updates from the match!