The two nations secured comprehensive victories in their last outings on Saturday, with the Blue Tigers beating Nepal 2-0, while the Middle-Eastern outfit thrashed Pakistan 4-0.
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Two sides bidding to win Group A of the 2023 SAFF championship will be up against each other of Tuesday as tournament hosts India take on Kuwait at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Both sides have already sealed their qualification to the semi-finals having won their opening two games and thereby taking maximum six points. The two nations secured comprehensive victories in their last outings on Saturday, with the Blue Tigers beating Nepal 2-0, while the Middle-Eastern side thrashed Pakistan 4-0.
India 🇮🇳 tussle Kuwait 🇰🇼 for Group A supremacy 💪🏽
Both teams are level on points (6) and goal difference (+6) and have already qualified for the semi-finals ⚔️🔥
Match preview 👉🏽 https://t.co/222EkKzBT3#SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #KUWIND #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4WevNdU6WR
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 26, 2023
India started off their 2023 SAFF Cup campaign with a thrilling 4-0 win over arch rivals Pakistan courtesy of Sunil Chhetri’s hat-trick and one goal from Udanta Singh. However, in the second match, the Blue Tigers had to wait till the hour-mark to break the deadlock, once again thanks to 38-year-old Chhetri’s 91st international goal before Naorem Mahesh Singh sealed all three points with a close range header 20 minutes from time. Once again. it was a solid performance from Stimac’s side as they had close to 65% ball possession, attempted five shots on target, while restricting the Gorkhalis to just one shot on goal in the entire ninety minutes of play. The result extended India’s unbeaten run to eight goals, recording seven wins and not conceding a single goal in the period.
Kuwait on the other hand, has emerged as one of the most formidable teams in the SAFF Championship. Al-Azraq started off with a 3-1 win over Nepal before putting four goals past Pakistan without reply this weekend. Kuwait took a 3-0 lead inside the opening 45 minutes thanks to Hasan El Enezi’s 10th-minute opener and Mabarak Al Faneni’s brace, before Eid Nasser Al Rashedi completed the drubbing with a 69th-minute effort. Just like India, the victory extended the Blue Wave’s unbeaten run to eight games, winning seven in the process. Considering the impressive run of form both sides are in, Tuesday’s fixture is likely to be a high-voltage encounter.
India probable starting lineup: Amrinder Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali.
Kuwait probable starting lineup: Al-Saanoun, Al-Bloushi, Hajjah, Al-Enezi, Muhaisen, Khalaf, Al-Enezi, Al-Rashidi, Dashti, Al-Faneeni, Al-Awadi.
India
| Opponents | Score |
| Nepal | 0-2 (W) |
| Pakistan | 4-0 (W) |
| Lebanon | 2-0 (W) |
| Lebanon | 0-0 (D) |
| Vanuatu | 1-0 (W) |
Kuwait
| Opponents | Score |
| Pakistan | 0-4 (W) |
| Nepal | 3-1 (W) |
| Sudan | 2-1 (W) |
| Zambia | 3-0 (W) |
| Tajikistan | 2-1 (W) |
| Last match-result | Score |
| Kuwait beat India | 9-1 |
The SAFF Cup fixture between India and Kuwait will take place at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday at 7:30 pm IST.
| India vs Kuwait | Key Details |
| Date | June 27 |
| Venue | Sree Kanteerava Stadium |
| Kickoff time in India | 7:30 pm |
| Kickoff time in Kuwait | 5:00 pm |
The live streaming of the SAFF Cup matches in India will be available of FanCode.
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