• Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved a crucial penalty kick in the summit clash to help India beat Kuwait 5-4 in the shootout and clinch SAFF Championship title for the ninth time in Bengaluru.

• After five rounds of penalty kicks, the scoreline remained 4-4 and sudden death rule was applied. 

• Mahesh Naorem scored but a diving Sandhu saved Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiah’s shot.

• In the regulation time, Shabaib Al Khaldi had put Kuwait in the lead in the 14th minute before Lallianzuala Chhangte equalised in the 39th minute.

South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)

• The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) is an organisation working to develop and make football more accessible for everyone within the South Asian region. 

• The SAFF was established in 1997 under the leadership of P.P. Lakshmanan, who served as SAFF president from 1997 to 2001.

• India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are members of SAFF.

• The SAFF Secretariat currently operates from Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

• SAFF currently manages several competitions for men, women and youth. 

• The SAFF Championship is held once every two years.

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