A draw feels like a defeat, but India skipper Sunil Chhetri is determined to maintain their unbeaten record, a splendid performance at home that stretches to almost four years.

In a high-octane and ill-tempered SAFF Championship contest against Kuwait in Bangalore on Tuesday, India took the lead in the first-half injury time following Chhetri’s 92nd international goal.

However, Anwar Ali’s own goal in the second-half injury time put a heartbreaking end to India’s hopes of topping the group. India play Lebanon, who defeated Maldives 1-0 on Wednesday to top Group B, in the second semi-final on July 1.

“To a large extent, we could do exactly what we had done at training sessions. They (Kuwait) are not an easy side. This team can play, and we could see that. But we matched their energy, and for most of the time, I think we did well,” Chhetri told the-aiff.com.

“But the feeling that comes to our mind is that of a loss because we conceded at the last moment,” he added.

“Clean sheet was one of our targets, which went out of the window. All of us in the dressing room were a little bit disheartened about that. Now, it’s the unbeaten run that we want to keep as long as possible.”

India are unbeaten in all nine matches played in 2023. At home, the run stretches to almost four years, with the last defeat coming in Guwahati against Oman in September 2019 in the Fifa World Cup Qualifiers.

Chhetri, 38, backed the 22-year-old Ali. “It’s not Anwar, it’s the country that conceded,” the captain was quick to clarify.

“Own goal can happen to anyone. We are professional enough not to talk about it. I hope the kid (Ali) shrugs it off. We all have his back,” he said.

“Technical mistakes are something that we do not take too seriously. We just work on our effort. Sometimes I miss silly goals that I shouldn’t have. If somebody makes a silly challenge, then we get a penalty against us. It all happens in football. The own goal is a thing of the past,” Chhetri stated.

Maatouk strikes

Lebanon captain Hassan Maatouk struck the all-important goal against Maldives with a curling free-kick in the 24th minute set up a semifinal clash against hosts India.

Lebanon have topped the group with an all-win record in the four-team group.

Lebanon and India met recently in the final of the Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneswar, where India emerged as the winners.

The Maldives, ranked 154 in the Fifa rankings, were hoping to punch above their weight.