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Image Source: Twitter
India put up another impressive performance in the ongoing SAFF Championship 2023, but unfortunately, the outcome did not go in their favour. An own goal by centre-back Anwar Ali in the dying minute tied the game 1-1 in a thrilling encounter between Kuwait in the final Group A match at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
It was a disappointing night for the Blue Tigers as they failed to end the contest on a positive note after dominating for more than 90 minutes. When the game seemed to conclude 0-0 in the first half, skipper Sunil Chhetri broke the deadlock in stoppage time to give India a lead before the break. Chhetri, who was unmarked, received a corner and kicked to the back of the net with a perfectly timed volley.
The match witnessed an ugly brawl between India's Rahim Ali and Kuwait's Hamad Al Qallaf, which resulted in both players receiving red cards. India head coach Igor Stimac was also shown his second red card of the tournament. However, amid these nervy moments, Kuwait got an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time. A low cross from the right deflected off Anwar's leg and settled in the far corner of the post.
We all have his back, as it can happen to anyone: Chhetri
Just like all Indians, Chhetri was also disappointed with the result but backed his teammate, Anwar, saying it was a mistake that could have happened to anyone, and it was the country that conceded the goal, not Anwar.
“It can happen to anyone. We didn't even talk about it now (after the match), and we are all professional enough not to talk about it. I hope the kid shrugs it off; we all have his back, as it can happen to anyone,” the captain said.
"Sometimes I have missed some silly goals that I shouldn't have missed, somebody's going to make a silly challenge, and we'll get a penalty. It happens in football. So technical mistake is something that we don't take too seriously. I'm pretty sure he's going to work on it, and it's gone. India conceded the goal, not Anwar,” Chhetri added.
The 1-1 tie helped Kuwait finish as the group winner, while India finished second. While admitting conceding a late goal was hard to digest, he said his team had successfully done what they had been trained to do.
"To a large extent, we could do exactly what we had trained. The feeling right now comes from mind is a feeling of loss because, at the last moment, we conceded that goal. But I'm pretty sure we did a lot of good things. When he watches the video and analyses, we will come to know better,” the 38-year-old concluded.
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'India conceded the goal not Anwar' - Sunil Chhetri's million dollar comment after Anwar Ali's own goal gave Kuwait an equaliser in SAFF Championship 2023
Sunil Chhetri was disappointed with the outcome, but backed his teammate Anwar Ali, who scored an own goal to give Kuwait an equaliser.
Image Source: Twitter
India put up another impressive performance in the ongoing SAFF Championship 2023, but unfortunately, the outcome did not go in their favour. An own goal by centre-back Anwar Ali in the dying minute tied the game 1-1 in a thrilling encounter between Kuwait in the final Group A match at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
It was a disappointing night for the Blue Tigers as they failed to end the contest on a positive note after dominating for more than 90 minutes. When the game seemed to conclude 0-0 in the first half, skipper Sunil Chhetri broke the deadlock in stoppage time to give India a lead before the break. Chhetri, who was unmarked, received a corner and kicked to the back of the net with a perfectly timed volley.
The match witnessed an ugly brawl between India's Rahim Ali and Kuwait's Hamad Al Qallaf, which resulted in both players receiving red cards. India head coach Igor Stimac was also shown his second red card of the tournament. However, amid these nervy moments, Kuwait got an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time. A low cross from the right deflected off Anwar's leg and settled in the far corner of the post.
We all have his back, as it can happen to anyone: Chhetri
Just like all Indians, Chhetri was also disappointed with the result but backed his teammate, Anwar, saying it was a mistake that could have happened to anyone, and it was the country that conceded the goal, not Anwar.
“It can happen to anyone. We didn't even talk about it now (after the match), and we are all professional enough not to talk about it. I hope the kid shrugs it off; we all have his back, as it can happen to anyone,” the captain said.
"Sometimes I have missed some silly goals that I shouldn't have missed, somebody's going to make a silly challenge, and we'll get a penalty. It happens in football. So technical mistake is something that we don't take too seriously. I'm pretty sure he's going to work on it, and it's gone. India conceded the goal, not Anwar,” Chhetri added.
The 1-1 tie helped Kuwait finish as the group winner, while India finished second. While admitting conceding a late goal was hard to digest, he said his team had successfully done what they had been trained to do.
"To a large extent, we could do exactly what we had trained. The feeling right now comes from mind is a feeling of loss because, at the last moment, we conceded that goal. But I'm pretty sure we did a lot of good things. When he watches the video and analyses, we will come to know better,” the 38-year-old concluded.