Football
SAFF Championship: India beats Lebanon, qualifies for the finals - Highlights
India beats Lebanon in the penalty shootout, qualifies for the second consecutive SAFF Championship finals.

FILE PHOTO: Sunil Chhetri in action against Lebanon in 2023. (Photo credit: AIFF)
Right from the start, Lebanon dominated the match, taking control of the game and quickly securing an early lead. They launched several attacks and came close to scoring twice within the first 10 minutes.
However, India managed to regain their composure and slowly regained momentum as the game progressed. After the initial fifteen minutes, India started to assert their attacking power, putting pressure on the Lebanese defense.
The game remained goalless after regulation time, forcing the match into extra time. Both teams had opportunities to score, but were unable to find the back of the net.
The match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout. Sunil Chhetri set the tone by confidently converting India's first penalty, while Lebanon missed their opening shot. India continued their clinical performance from the spot, with Udanta Singh, Mahesh Naorem, and Anwar Ali all successfully converting their penalties.
Although Lebanon managed to convert two penalties after Gurpreet Sandhu saving the first, their hopes were dashed when Matar failed to score their fourth spot-kick. With this miss, India secured their victory and advanced to the finals of the SAFF Championship for the second consecutive time.
India will now face Kuwait in the finals of the SAFF Championship as they strive to defend the title.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 1 July 2023 4:14 PM GMT
100' Good defending from Lebanon!
Udanta through the right finds Mahesh on the middle of the park, little one two and Mahesh finds Chhetri. But before chhetri gets a gap to take a shot the ball is intercepted.
- 1 July 2023 4:08 PM GMT
95' What a misss!
Udanta through the right, sets up Chhetri through Mahesh Singh. Another costly miss if we don't capitalize on our chances soon. Chhetri shoots it over the bar.
- 1 July 2023 3:57 PM GMT
End of regulation time!
The games goes into extra time. Stay tuned for updates.
- 1 July 2023 3:51 PM GMT
89' What a chanceee!!!
If only Chhetri was a bit more quick. Chhangte gives a good ball into the box, ground ball but Sunil Chhetri gets there a little late. Could have been the first goal.
- 1 July 2023 3:47 PM GMT
86' Penalty?
There's a claim for penalty from India after a foul. Referee says play on.
- 1 July 2023 3:41 PM GMT
80' Another extra time on the cards?
The deadlock is yet to be broken and just under 15 minutes remain for the full time whistle.
- 1 July 2023 3:33 PM GMT
71' Good chance!
Sahal Samad and Ashique Kuruniyan combines on the left flank. Lebanon under pressure here. Kuruniyan shoots but the goalkeeper with a very good save to deny India.

