India defeated Lebanon on penalties in the second semi-final of the SAFF Championship 2023. The match ended 0-0 in regulation time but Gurpreet saved two penalties in the penalty shootout to clinch the victory for India.

Read Also: SAFF Championship 2023: Kuwait vs Bangladesh Live Blog, News, Live Updates & Match Report

SAFF Championship: India vs Lebanon Match Report

First Half:

Lebanon came as a completely different side as they were in the Intercontinental Cup. The Lebanese players threatened the backline of India but Gurpreet kept themselves alive by making a few extraordinary saves. India kept most of the possession but failed to score any goal. Lebanon also tried to penetrate the backline of India but the defence remained compact and strong. The first half ended with a 0-0 scoreline.

Second Half:

Lebanon tried their best to beat the backline and they did it a couple of times but Gurpreet stood tall like a wall. Chhangte and Mahesh provided some brilliant balls in the centre to Sunil Chhetri but Lebanese players did not give him space to do anything from it. The second half also ended with a 0-0 scoreline as the match went to extra time.

Extra Time:

Sunil Chhetri got a clear opportunity but wasted it otherwise it would have been different. Lebanon didn't get the opportunity to make any clear-cut opportunities for themselves but they held their positions against the Indian attackers and didn't concede a single goal. The match went into the penalties.

Sunil Chhetri gave the lead and then Gurpreet made a brilliant save to deny Maatouk. India didn't hesitate and missed any while Bader missed another one which confirmed India's qualification in the Final of the SAFF Championship 2023 against Kuwait.

"This is the best game we played. India pushed us to do our best. Not the result we wanted. But, that was a great game," Lebanon coach said after the match.

SAFF Championship: India vs Lebanon Live Blog | Lineups | 7:00 P.M.

India:

• GURPREET SINGH SANDHU
• SUNIL CHHETRI
• SUBHASISH BOSE
• ANWAR ALI
• ANIRUDH THAPA
• SAHAL ABDUL SAMAD
• JEAKSON SINGH THOUNAOJAM
• LALLIANZUALA CHHANGTE
• MEHTAB SINGH
• PRITAM KOTAL
• MUHAMMED KURUNIYAN

Lebanon:

• MEHDI KHALIL
• HASSAN MAATOUK
• MAHDI ZEIN
• HUSSEIN ZEIN
• ALI MARKABAWI
• HASAN SROUR
• GEORGE FELIX MELKI
• NADER MATAR
• MOUHAMMED ALI DHAINI
• WALID SHOUR
• ZEIN AL ABIDINE FARRAN

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 7:28 P.M.

The players are out of the tunnel. The match is all set to start.

SAFF Championship: India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 1' | 7:30 P.M. | Kick off

The second Semi-Final begins.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 1' | Early chance for Lebanon

Lebanon starts on the offensive! Maatouk starts the attack and passes to his right to Zein Farran, who then crosses to the centre for Nader Matar. Matar shoots it high over the net.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 6' | Kotal survived

Kotal tried to snatch the ball from Matar and fouled him but the referee didn't show him the card.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 8' | Gurpreet, the hero for India

Farran had a chance to get the lead for Lebanon but Gurpreet came up as the saviour.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 9' | Yellow Card

Mehtab Singh received the first yellow.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 11' | A great run from Chhangte

Chhangte tries a cross that lands in the gloves of Mehdi Khalil, the Lebanon goalkeeper.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 19'

India starts an attack. Jeakson provided a ball to Sahal But Lebanon's Ali Dhanini intercepted to deny a certain goal to the Blue Tigers.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 20' | Another chance for India

Thapa tries to set up Kotal in the box with an excellent cross from the centre. Kotal's header was off-target.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 26' | Foul

Zein fouls Chhangte as India gets another free-kick in the midfield. Kotal takes the free-kick which is headed away by the Lebanese players.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 27' | Yellow Card

Ali Markabawi received the yellow card.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 29' | Anwar went for a long ranger

Anwar Ali tries to shoot from a distance from the midfield but Khalil takes control of the ball.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 34' | Sandhu has the safe hands

Maatouk takes another free-kick but Sandhu makes a comfortable save to keep the score locked at 0-0.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 40' | Free Kick for India

Chhangte delivers a low cross for Chhetri in the centre of the box. Lebanon made the clearance.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 43' | Sandhu came up with another save

The Lebanon captain's curler moves in but Sandhu makes a crucial save to deny a certain goal here.

Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan watching the game with his wife!

He missed the match due to card in the last game!#IndianFootball #INDLEB #SAFFChampionship2023 #saff2023 pic.twitter.com/s4l5ciAyde

— Sportz Point (
@Sportz Point
) July 1, 2023

SAFF Championship 2023: India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 45' | Half-time | 0-0

Gurpreet Sandhu's crucial goalkeeping has denied Lebanon two certain goals. The score is 0-0 at the half-way mark.

Air Gurpreet ✈️#LBNIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ODoqIZcoIs

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 1, 2023

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 46' | Second Half | Kick off

The second half begins.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 49'

Mehtab tried to find Chhangte but Khalil collected the ball comfortably.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 54' | Substitution

In: Karim Darwich, Out: Ali Markabawi

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 59' | Substitution

In: Nikhil Poojary, Out: Pritam

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 61' | Another save by Sandhu

Sandhu makes another save to remain unbeaten between the sticks.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 65' | Set piece opportunity for India

Chhangte delivers a cross from the right for Chhetri but he struck it over the crossbar.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 72' | Chance for India

Anwar provides a through ball to Ashique. He combines with Sahal and then Ashique delivered a ball for Chhhetri in the centre but George Melki intercepts to clear it away.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 74' | Tripple Change for India

• Out: Anirudh Thapa, Subhasish Bose, Sahal Abdul Samad
•  In: Rohit Kumar, Akash Mishra, Mahesh Singh

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 83' | Chance for Lebanon

Farran gets the ball and makes a run along the left flank, and passes for Maatouk who goes for the goal. The shot was not in the target.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 87'

The shot from Anwar went off the bar for India.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 90' | Change for India

In: Udanta Singh, Out: Ashique Kuruniyan

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 90+6' | Yellow Card

Karim Darwich fouls Chhangte with a rash challenge

SAFF Championship 2023: India (0) vs Lebanon (0) Live Blog | Full-time

An extra 30 minutes to be played not to find the winner and if that fails to serve the purpose, we'll get into a penalty shootout.

SAFF Championship 2023: Extra Time | 93' |India 0-0 Lebanon

A brilliant shot from Sunil Chhetri. It goes over the bar.

SAFF Championship 2023: Extra Time | 95' |India 0-0 Lebanon

Sunil tries a volley from the middle of the box. A cross from Udanta and Sunil had the chance for India to make it 1-0. The Indian fans chant Sunil..Sunil

SAFF Championship 2023: Chhangte misses out | 99' | India 0-0 Lebanon

Chhangte misses out on a genuine chance. Another great cross from Udanta and Chhangte could not hold the ball properly. India keeps on attacking.

SAFF Championship 2023: Udanta misses another chance | 101' | India 0-0 Lebanon

Another genuine chance for India. Udanta miscues an easy header from the middle of the box. He heads it down the wrong line.

SAFF Championship 2023: End of first half | Extra Time | India 0-0 Lebanon

India had their chances and moments. But, could not convert them into goals. India should have been 1-0 up by now.

SAFF Championship 2023: 107' | Free-kick for Lebanon | India 0-0 Lebanon

Captain Maatouk takes the free kick and sends it his teammates.

SAFF Championship 2023: 108 | Khalil Bader takes the chance | India 0-0 Lebanon

Khalil Bader takes the chance and nearly sends it into the nets. Gurpreet could have not done anything if it had gone into the goal.

SAFF Championship 2023: 109' | Anwar Ali saves India | India 0-0 Lebanon

A cross from Maatouk was about to find one of his teammates. But, it is Anwar Ali who blocks it out in the box.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 112' | Side-netting by Mahesh

Mahesh gets a through ball from Rohit Kumar. He then tries to cross for Chhetri but it got intercepted and ends in the side net.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 118' | Lebanon pushing with numbers

India still managing to get the ball out of its box.

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 120' | Chhangte and Chhetri on a move

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | 120' | End of extra time

The match gets into the penalty shootout

India vs Lebanon Live Blog | Penalty shootout

India will take the first kick.

Sunil Chhetri strikes. 1-0 India
Gurpreet saved it. 1-0 India
Anwar Ali scores for India. India 2-0
Walid Shour scores. India 2-1 Lebanon
Mahesh Singh scores for India. India 3-1 Lebanon
Sadek scores for Lebanon. India 3-2 Lebanon
Udanta steps up for India and scores. India 4-2 Lebanon
Bader misses for Lebanon. India 4-2 Lebanon

India through to the SAFF Championship final.

SAFF Championship 2023: India vs Lebanon Live Blog | Final score 0-0 | India won 4-2 on penalties

India defeated Lebanon 4-2 on penalties and makes their way into consecutive SAFF Championship finals.

"It wasn't easy. We're gonna go back and rest well. They are not easy to play against. It went into penalties and we are so happy that we kept our focus and won the match. We are not thinking of the final. We are just going to go back and recuperate and then think about the final," Sunil Chhetri said after the match.

"It's great for us. The work that we are doing for the last few weeks is showing now, ensuring a clean sheet for 120 minutes and then keeping our composure to keep our shots on target to go on and win," Gurpreet Singh Sandhu said after the match.

In Europe, the Champions League is seen as the most demanding title among players, managers, and clubs from all over Europe. The Giant clubs compete for this specific trophy every year, with the prestige and financial rewards received from the tournament being among the biggest in club football.

Achieving success in this competition is usually seen by most players and managers as the benchmark of club-level achievement in Europe. For many managers, winning the Champions League is the ultimate goal.

Some managers, however, have managed to win the competition multiple times, some with multiple teams as well. Without further due, here are the interesting football facts of the five managers with the most Champions League titles.

Read Also: Barcelona 2008/09 vs Man City 2022/23 - which Pep Guardiola treble team is better?

Football Facts: Managers with the most UCL titles 

Pep Guardiola | 3 Champions League titles

Many regard Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager of his generation due to his success with all the clubs he has managed. The Spanish manager has won the competition thrice in his managerial career, two times with FC Barcelona and once with Manchester City.

Guardiola won his first Champions League title in his first season in charge of Barcelona, with his side defeating Manchester United 2-0 in 2008-09 as part of their first-ever treble. The former Barcelona midfielder was 38 years old at the time, making him the youngest manager to win the competition to date.

He won his second title two years later in the 2010-11 season, defeating the same opponent 3-1 in the final. Lionel Messi was the star of both triumphs, scoring both times.

Then he managed Bayern but wasn't able to bring any Champions League titles to the German Club. Finally, his 12-year wait came to an end when Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Final of the UCL 2022-23 season.

Read Also | European treble winners in men's football history

Zinedine Zidane | 3 Champions League titles

Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid in its most dominant period of the 21st century. The Frenchman won three titles with Los Blancos in three years in charge of the club.

Zidane won his first title just four months after he replaced Rafael Benitez as manager of Real Madrid. He led the side to defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties in the 2015-16 final.

The next season, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final for their 12th crown.

Zidane led Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the 2017-18 final. The Frenchman is the only manager in history to win the competition three consecutive times. He is also the first and only French manager to win the competition to date.

Bob Paisley | 3 European Cups

Bob Paisley was a Liverpool soccer player, manager, and administrator for almost 50 years. 

No football manager demonstrated the art of leading quietly and without ego more than Bob Paisley. He won twenty trophies in nine years for Liverpool Football Club between 1974 and 1983.

He brought 3 European Cups, six League Championships (including three in a row in 1981, 1982, and 1983), three League Cups, 6 Charity Shields, one UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

Paisley is the only British manager to win the European Cup three times. Bob is now regarded as one of the best soccer managers of all time.

Carlo Ancelotti | 5 Champions League titles

Carlo Ancelotti is one of football's managerial greats of the 21st century. The Italian manager has won five Champions League titles in his time as a manager, having also won the competition twice as a player.

Ancelotti won his first Champions League title in the 2002-03 season with AC Milan as his side defeated Juventus on penalties in the final. He won his second title in the 2006-07 season as AC Milan defeated Liverpool 2-1.

Ancelotti won his third title with Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season after his side defeated Atlético Madrid 4-1. His fourth title came in the 2021-22 season with Real Madrid once again after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool.

He completed his fifth win in the Champions League as a manager in the 2023-24 season when Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund by 2-0 in the final.

The Italian manager is also the only manager to win all of Europe's top five leagues.

For more Interesting Football Facts, follow SportzPoint

Football Facts: Managers with the most UCL titles (Top Ten)

In the world of football, few clubs stand out like Chelsea FC. Their trophy cabinet tells a story of incredible success, proving that they have truly won it all!

With their recent UEFA Conference League 4-1 victory over Real Betis, Chelsea completed a historic sweep of all major UEFA titles.

Here is trophy cabinet of Chelsea FC that defines their successful journey in the football world. Take a look.

European Royalty: Conquering the Continent

Chelsea have battled across the continent's most prestigious stages and won every major UEFA club trophy, a feat few clubs can claim.

Their crowning achivements including 2 UEFA Champions League titles, notable defeating Bayern Munich [1-1 (4-3 pens)] in 2012 and Manchester City (1-0) in 2021.

Beyond the Champions League, Chelsea also lifted the UEFA Europa League twice (2013, 2019), and the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1971, famously against Real Madrid in the replay, and also in 1998.

Additionally, two UEFA Super Cup victories (1998, 2021) further highlight their continental dominance.

The collection was completed with their 2025 UEFA Conference League triumph, where Chelsea FC beat Real Betis 4-1 in the final.

The domestic dominance of Chelsea FC

Beyond their European conquests, they have also established as masters of England by securing highest domestic honors.

The Blues clinched the First Division/Premier League title and impress six times (1955, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2017) along with eight FA Cup victories (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018). This makes them the competition's most successful team.

Their domestic dominance also extends to League Cup, which they have won five times in the following years: 1965, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2015.

Completing the Set: Global and Historic Honors

Chelsea's trophy cabinet truly lives upto the "won it all" status by having a collection of unique, historical, and global titles.

The FIFA Club World Cup win over Palmeiras (2-1) in 2021, made them only London club to win the Champions League as well as FIFA Club WC.

Further adding to their phenomenal collection are four Charity/Community Shield triumphs (1955, 2000, 2005, 2009), which mark their traditional early-season dominance.

As we move down to the final count, Chelsea also holds two Full Members' Club Victories (1986, 1990).

A look at Chelsea's Trophy Cabinet:

Head coach Manolo Márquez announces 28-member Blue Tigers travelling squad for Thailand friendly on May 28, 2025. All the 28 players, who are currently a part of the ongoing camp in Kolkata, will travel to Thailand for the FIFA friendly for the June 4 fixture.

With a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on the horizon, the Indian Men's National Football Team is gearing up for a significant test. The squad will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening for their friendly on June 4, at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani at 18:00 IST.

Subsequently, the team will depart for Hong Kong on the next day (June 5) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture.

Kolkata: The Blue Tigers' pre-Thailand training hub

The Blue Tigers' intensive training camp kicked off in Kolkata on May 19. The men in Blue underwent six full days of structured training and gym sessions. These were focused on refining patterns, defensive organisation, attacking transitions, and all other crucial elements for the gameplay.

A highlight of the camp was the inclusion of two practice matches:

• On May 26, the Blue Tigers faced Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, securing a 2-1 victory. (goal scorers: Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan)
• On May 27, they faced North 24 Parganas, securing a 3-0 victory. (goal scorers: Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Udanta Singh Kumam)

Blue Tigers’ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Head Coach: Manolo Márquez

Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali

Assistant Coach: Benito Montalvo

Goalkeeper Coach: Marc Gamon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: José Carlos Barroso

In a groundbreaking moment for Indian football, Rahul KP, the dynamic winger of Odisha FC, has been extended a prestigious invitation to represent English Premier League powerhouse West Ham United in the highly anticipated summer edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST), an elite 7 v 7 football competition featuring 48 teams from across the globe.

This is the first time in Indian football history that an Indian player will represent a top-division English Premier League club men’s team. This is a monumental achievement not only for Rahul's burgeoning career and Odisha FC but also for the continued growth and recognition of the state of Odisha and Indian football on the international stage.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The tournament boasts a diverse international roster, with participating teams and players hailing from countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and India. The star-studded event will notably feature teams led by legendary footballers such as Luis Nani, Sergio Agüero, and Hope Solo.

Rahul KP will join a distinguished West Ham United squad that includes notable personalities like actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, former Argentina international Mauro Zárate, and several professional athletes who have represented the United States in the World Indoor Football Cup.

The three group stage games featuring West Ham United will be broadcast live on YouTube channels. Additionally, these matches will be televised live on ESPN.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the best of Indian football at the AIFF Awards 2025, held today in Bhubaneswar, honouring outstanding players, coaches, referees, and member associations for their contributions during the 2024-25 season.

The ceremony highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian football, with Mohun Bagan SG’s Subhasish Bose and East Bengal FC’s Soumya Guguloth crowned Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively. 

AIFF Awards 2025 Winners

Individual Awards

• Men's Player of the Year: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG, Defender)
  • Recognised for his leadership as captain and stellar performances for Mohun Bagan SG as the mariners became the first team to defend the ISL Shield, along with reclaiming the ISL Cup. Bose kept 13 clean sheets as a defender and scored 6 goals as well. 
• Women's Player of the Year: Soumya Guguloth (East Bengal FC, Forward)
  • Honoured as the top Indian scorer in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and a key player for the Blue Tigresses. She helped East Bengal FC win the IWL 2024-25 title.
• Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan SG)
  • Awarded for holding the record for the most clean sheets in Indian Super League (ISL) history. Kaith had a record 15 clean sheets in ISL 2024-25 and conceded only 19 goals across 26 appearances
• Most Promising Men's Player of the Year: Brison Fernandes (Midfielder)
  • Noted for his midfield mastery and potential as a rising star.
• Most Promising Women's Player of the Year: Neha (Haryana, Winger)
  • Recognised for her performances, including 2 goals in the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship and 3 goals in the Senior Women’s National Championship.
• Men's Coach of the Year: Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC)
  • Won for the second consecutive year for leading Jamshedpur FC to the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals.
• Women's Coach of the Year: Sujata Kar (Sreebhumi FC)
  • Awarded for guiding newly-promoted Sreebhumi FC to a third-place finish in the IWL.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
  • Acknowledged for consistent officiating on the pitch.
• Female Referee of the Year: Tekcham Ranjita Devi
  • Recognised for her officiating excellence.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
• Male Assistant Referee of the Year: Vairamuthu P

Member Association (MA) Awards

• Most Successful MA (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
  • For dominance in men’s competitions, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal winning major titles.
• Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions): All Manipur Football Association
  • Recognised for success in the National Football Championships.
• Best MA for Supporting Women’s Football: Punjab Football Association
  • Honoured for contributions to women’s football development.
• Best MA for Hosting Most AIFF Competitions: Football Association of Odisha and Goa Football Association
  • For hosting numerous AIFF events.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Men’s): Kerala Football Association
  • For the highest number of male player registrations.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Women’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
  • For leading in female player registrations.
• Special Award for MA Launching New Projects: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For innovative football initiatives.
• MA with Most Grassroots Activities: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For extensive grassroots programs.
• MA with Most Youth Tournaments Conducted: Karnataka State Football Association
  • For organising numerous youth tournaments.
• MA with Most Coaching Courses: Punjab Football Association
  • For conducting the most coaching courses.
• MA with Most Refereeing Courses: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For leading in referee training programs.