**India secures spot in SAFF Championship final with penalty shootout victory over Lebanon**
– Defending champions India showed great composure and emerged victorious in a penalty shootout against Lebanon in the SAFF Championship football tournament.
– The match ended goalless after 120 minutes of play, leading to a thrilling penalty shootout.
– India’s captain Sunil Chhetri, along with Anwar Ali, Mahesh Singh, and Udanta Singh, successfully scored penalties to secure the win.
– Lebanon could only manage to score twice in the shootout, with India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu making a crucial save.
– This victory ensures India’s place in the tournament’s final, which is scheduled for July 4.
– India will face Kuwait in the final, as they defeated Bangladesh with a 1-0 scoreline in the other semifinal match on the same day.
– This will be India’s 13th appearance in the final of the SAFF Championship, a remarkable achievement that extends their streak to nine consecutive finals.
– Throughout the history of the championship, India has triumphed on eight occasions out of the previous 13 editions.
– India’s only instance of failing to secure a top-two finish was back in 2003.
– This win over Lebanon marks India’s second successive victory against them, following their 2-0 win in the recent Intercontinental Cup.
– The match started with Lebanon dominating the proceedings, but India found their footing and had their chances as well.
– The first half ended without a breakthrough, with Lebanon having a brilliant chance to take the lead in the second minute.
– In the second half, both teams defended well, but neither could break the deadlock.
– The match went into extra time, where India’s captain Chhetri had two opportunities to score but couldn’t find the target.
– Ultimately, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, with India emerging as the winners.
*Source: Times of India*
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