India vs Kuwait, World Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri's retirement party spoiled by dogged visitors
Sunil Chhetri played his last international match against Kuwait on June 6
Over 58,000 spectators gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to bid adieu to legendary Indian footballer, Sunil Chhetri were left disappointed as India played an entertaining but a goalless draw against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match.
Chhetri's 151st and final game in Indian colours needed to end in a win for India to qualify for the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. However, Kuwait made a nuisance of themselves to deny the Indian captain the perfect sendoff.
Chhetri could be seen tearing up after the final whistle as he greeted the fans around the stadium.The draw, however, means that India's fate does not lie in their own hands.
India had the better chances in the first half as Anwar Ali had free header on couple of occasion but could not put the ball to the back of the net. Liston Colaco was the constant threat from the left side for the hosts and fizzed some wonderful deliveries into the box but heroic defending from Kuwaiti players kept India at bay.
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
'Agitation cannot justify lathi-charge': CJI Surya Kant's BIG response to police brutality against protesting students
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Hidden in British archives: Scientists decode 200-year-old Indian scroll that helped sailors cross one of the world's toughest seas
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
)
'House raided, father picked up': UP man Mohd Junaid alleges crackdown after CJP protest; Police deny claims
)
Trump's latest rant is about a 'massive television outage' that never happened
)
Putin rambles in TV speech after cancelling Navy Day parade fearing an attack by Ukraine
)
RSS backed Jantar Mantar student protest? Mohan Bhagwat's 'question authority' remark resurfaces
)
Oil tanker explodes in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a naval mine
)
ChatGPT invoked God, told pastor not to worry about his symptoms. Then pulmonary embolism hit
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
Delhi Police issues BIG statement on viral 'don't leave national capital without permission' notice | FACT CHECK
)
'They’re afraid right now...': Netanyahu reacts for first time after Mamdani threatens arrest over ICC warrant
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Google ends Play Services Support, likely to stop these Android phones from downloading apps & games
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 27-August 2, 2026): The Devil Wears Prada 2, Batman, Demon Slayer- 5 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Will Iran war last months or even years? Here's what new poll shows about what most Americans think
)
US says Turkey still barred from F-35 program until it gives up Russian S-400 system: Report
)
Spain: Fresh wildfires break out in Valencia
)
Bihar wants 'backless Saturday’ in govt schools as official notice misspells 'bagless'
)
'Broader struggle for democracy...': Greta Thunberg joins Indian students protest in London - What she said
)
'We didn't stop them...: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's first reaction on student protests
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
)
What does the Gen Z protest and Pradhan's resignation as education minister mean for India's ruling BJP, and four other questions, answered
)
What we know about Seattle mass shooting: 3 dead, suspect arrested and one at large
)
India's foreign ministry debunks viral claim made during last week's protests
Chhetri made the highest number of sprints/runs (26) into the box but other Indian outfielders were unable to pick him. After halftime, Kuwait stepped up on the gas and created numerous dangerous situation as Igor Stimac's men appeared to be running on fumes.
The second half saw India lose steam and rely oncounter-attacking opportunities to make runs into the opposition penalty box. A few half-chances did come India's way but none were converted as Kuwait looked the better of the two sides.
India will next travel to Qatar on June 11 to play their last match of second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Sunil Chhetri Retires: 6 Interesting Facts About India's Football Legend
Chhetri retires as a legend
Despite the outcome, Chhetri retires as one of the greatest-ever players to have donned the Indian jersey. His 19-year long illustrious career ends with 151 caps and 94 international goals. He signs off as the thirdhighest active goal-scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo (128) and Lionel Messi (106).
The Indian forward remains the fourth-highest all-time top scorer in men's international football after Ronaldo, Ali Daei (109) and Messi. Chhetri also retires as the second-highest goal-scorer from Asia, underlining his legendary status.
Group A standings as they stand:
Playing XIs:
India: Gurpreet Singh Sadhu, Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Anirudh Thapa, Suresh Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Liston Colaco, Lallianzula Chhangte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Nikhil Poojary
Kuwait: Sulaiman (GK), Alenezi, Ibrahim, Abdulah, Alharbi, Alrashidi, Aldousari, Abujabarah, Saleh (C), Alsulaiman, Hasan Alenezi
(More to follow)