India wins 9th title of SAFF championship

The Indian men’s football team claimed victory in a thrilling penalty shootout against Kuwait with a score of 5-4, securing the SAFF Championship 2023 title at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium. This marked India’s ninth SAFF Championship title out of 14 editions. Ranked 100th in the latest FIFA rankings, India’s triumph in the tournament followed their previous success in winning the Intercontinental Cup the month prior.

Throughout the SAFF Championship 2023, which India hosted, the team remained undefeated. They achieved victories over Pakistan and Nepal, along with a draw against Kuwait during the group stage. In both the semifinals against Lebanon and the nail-biting final against Kuwait, India emerged victorious in penalty shootouts. Additionally, the team was awarded a cash prize of USD 50,000, equivalent to INR 41 lakh, alongside their medals.

The Kuwait football team, as the runners-up in the SAFF Championship 2023, received medals and a cheque of US Dollar 25,000 (approximately 20 lakh in Indian currency).

The SAFF Football Championship, also known as the South Asian Football Federation Championship, is a biennial international football tournament that brings together the national teams of South Asian countries. The championship serves the purpose of promoting and developing football in the region. The inaugural edition of the SAFF Championship took place in Lahore, Pakistan in 1993, where India clinched the title by defeating the host nation, Pakistan, in the final.