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 3:26 PM GMT
64' Good ball from Nikhil Poojary!
Nikhil Poojari makes a run through the left wing and sets up Chhangte. Chhangte beats the Lebanon defense and tries to cross it to Sunil Chhetri who's present on the right side. Chhetri misses but Ashique Kuruniyan tries to get a hold of the ball. It's cleared by Captain Maatouk.
- 1 July 2023 3:18 PM GMT
55' Good Save!
Lebanon comes close to scoring as Maatouk gives a through ball to Matar but Gurpreet makes a timely outing.
- 1 July 2023 3:06 PM GMT
Start of the second half!
Deadlock is yet to be broken. India will play from right to left.
- 1 July 2023 2:52 PM GMT
Half Time!
The first half ends goalless. India overcame the initial pressure from Lebano after first 15 minutes but no goals yet.
- 1 July 2023 2:45 PM GMT
43' GSS what a save!
Lebanon are awarded a free kick from the left side of the box. Maatouk takes it, the ball curves into the box on target but Gurpreet with a diving save. Spider man, is that you?
- 1 July 2023 2:40 PM GMT
35' Another day another drama!
India is awarded a free kick just outside the box for a foul on Bose. But a small fight is happening on the field.
- 1 July 2023 2:33 PM GMT
29' Free kick to Lebanon!
Pritam fouls Matar outside the box close to the sideline. A free kick is awarded to Lebanon.Matar takes, Maatouk tries to keep the ball inside the box but the flag is up.
- 1 July 2023 2:23 PM GMT
20' Another miss!
Ashique Kuruniyan finds Subhashish Bose on the left. Bose chips the ball to Pritam Kotal who is inside the box, in a scoring position. Kotal dives to head it in but narrowly misses.


