Indian Football Team Faces Defeat Against Kuwait in International Friendly

India, 18 December 2025 — The Indian national football team suffered a 2-1 defeat against Kuwait in an international friendly match held in Kuwait City on Sunday. The match served as a crucial preparatory game for both teams ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.

The Indian team, led by captain Sunil Chhetri, managed to open the scoring in the 34th minute with a goal from forward Lallianzuala Chhangte. However, Kuwait equalized just before halftime, with a well-executed strike from their forward Yousuf Naser.

In the second half, despite India's efforts to regain control, Kuwait took the lead through a goal by Faisal Zayid in the 76th minute. The Indian team struggled to break down the Kuwaiti defense in the remaining minutes of the game.

The defeat highlights the challenges the Indian team faces in international competitions, as they continue to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for early next year. Head coach Igor Stimac emphasized the importance of learning from such matches to improve team performance.

This match against Kuwait is part of a series of friendlies that India has scheduled to enhance their team dynamics and address tactical issues. The Indian squad will now return to their training camp to focus on upcoming matches.