New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur conveyed their heartfelt congratulations to the Indian football team for their remarkable victory in the SAFF Championship final against Kuwait. The Indian team emerged victorious in a thrilling penalty shootout, with the game ending in a 4-4 scoreline at the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium on Tuesday.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi expressed his joy over India’s triumph and praised the players for their outstanding performance. He tweeted, “India crowned champions, yet again! The Blue Tigers reign supreme at the #SAFFChampionship2023! Congrats to our players. The Indian Team’s remarkable journey, powered by the determination and tenacity of these athletes, will continue to inspire upcoming sportspersons.” The Prime Minister’s tweet was accompanied by a link to his official tweet:
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also joined in celebrating the team’s victory. He took to his Twitter handle to congratulate the players and acknowledge their nerve-wracking encounter with Kuwait in the final. Thakur tweeted, “We have done it again! Kudos to the #BlueTigers for holding their nerve in such a gripping encounter with Kuwait in the final & giving a scintillating performance to clinch the #SAFFChampionship for a record th time. India is thrilled on your victory, keep shining!”
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu played a pivotal role in the Blue Colts’ triumph once again. His crucial save during the penalty shootout proved decisive in India’s 5-4 victory over Kuwait. The match had reached a deadlock after five rounds of penalty kicks, with both sides missing a penalty each. As per the sudden death rule, Mahesh Naorem successfully converted his penalty kick for India, while Sandhu showcased exceptional skills to deny Kuwait’s captain, Khaled Hajiah, from equalizing.
The heroic save by Sandhu ignited jubilation among the home fans, and he celebrated the victory with an animated display of joy. With this win, Indian head coach Igor Stimac became the first foreign head coach to secure back-to-back SAFF Championship titles. It was also a historic moment as India defeated two West Asian countries consecutively, following their triumph against Lebanon in the semifinals, also in a penalty shootout.
The Indian football team’s triumph in the SAFF Championship not only brings pride to the nation but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring sportspersons. Their remarkable journey and the unwavering spirit displayed by the players will continue to leave a lasting impact on the Indian sporting landscape.
