Akhil Rawat
AIFF Media Team
BENGALURU: Minute 14 of the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship 2023 final at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru – Shabaib Al-Khaldi had just tucked away the opening goal for Kuwait. The Blue Tigers faithful in the stands, though, didn’t let any heads drop on the pitch. The first time in 11 matches that India found themselves chasing a game, unbelievably, gave them even more impetus to get the win.
Barely a few seconds after the goal, as the Kuwait players were reeling away in celebration and before the hosts could kick off again, the Kanteerava had already begun chanting in unison – “India! India!”
Twenty-six thousand sounding like 50,000. Where else have you heard as much noise in support after conceding a goal as after scoring one?
Bengaluru’s very own, captain Sunil Chhetri remarked in a heartfelt video dedicated to the fans after the triumph, “We all felt something different this time in Bengaluru. You guys were special!”
