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.

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.

 
India play Lebanon, who defeated Maldives 1-0 on Wednesday to top Group B, in the second semi-final on July 1.

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.