It is all down to the ultimate game of the tournament which decides who will claim the SAFF Championship trophy today at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. It will be a feisty contest between India – 8 time winners and Kuwait, who have been invited to the tournament. It is a highly anticipated game of football especially with the physically aggressive game in the group stage between these two teams which ended as a draw. However, it was not the result which came into spotlight, but the arguments on and off the pitch between players and staffs of both teams which was intense.
Recent Form
India
W – D – W – W – W
Kuwait
W – D – W – W – W
Both the teams are at a successful point in recent times which is the highlighting point of the game which sets the bar very high for the final game of the championship. India won the Hero Intercontinental Cup after defeating Lebanon whom they defeated again in the semi-finals of this tournament in a penalty shoot-out a few days back.
The team under the Croatian tactician is breaking one record after another, bringing back the vibes of the old Indian team who dominated the the floors of Asian football. India also stepped up their FIFA ranking to the top 100 sealing a place in the Pot 2 for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. India will be losing their head coach – Igor Stimac due to two match ban imposed on him after receiving a red card during the group stage match against Kuwait.
Meanwhile, Kuwait, who are ranked 141 in FIFA ranking is having an exceptional run under Rui Bento, the Portuguese gaffer who registered 2.55 points-per-match winning 9 games, drawing and losing a game each. They haven’t lost a game yet in the SAFF Championship and progressed to the final of the tournament by defeating Bangladesh in the semifinals after a tough fought win over them.
Head to Head Records
India and Kuwait had met four times previously where Kuwait got the better of Blue Tigers two times including a 9-1 victory in 2011, whereas India won an International friendly back in 2004 and a recent draw in the group stages of this tournament.
Probable Starting Line-up
India – Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sunil Chhetri
Kuwait – Abdulrahman Kameel (GK), Hassan Al-Anzi, Khaled Ebrahim, Ali Abdel Al-Rasoul, Al-Boloushi, Fawaz Ayedh, Ali Khalaf, Mubarak Al-Fnaini, Eid Al-Rasheedi, Hamad Al-Harbi, Salman Al-Awadhi
IFTWC’s prediction
It is going to be a tough, aggressive, physical battle involving lots of duels where the one who manages to get the better of other will take the win. If the game stretches towards the penalty shootout it will all be a matter of luck which will play the role. Both teams being on hot form and top mentality will make for a scincillating display of football awaiting today evening.
IFTWC is predicting a 1-1 draw extending towards the penalty.
The game will be played today evening at 7.30pm at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore. The match will be live telecasted on the Fan Code app and telecasted on DD Bharati.
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