<h5>What is the SAFF Championship?</h5><p>The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship is the main international football competition for men's national teams that are governed by the SAFF. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are the member nations of the SAFF. All these teams take part in this competition.</p><p>However, in this year’s tournament, Sri Lanka did not participate, as FIFA banned them in January 2023. So, the remaining six members, along with Kuwait and Lebanon, participated in the SAFF Championship 2023.</p><p>Neither Kuwait nor Lebanon are SAFF members. The nations have also never competed in the tournament. However, they were invited to participate in SAFF Championship 2023 to increase the competition’s level. This was a well-taken decision, as both teams challenged the original members.</p><p>The eight teams were divided into two groups. Four of them reached the semi-finals, and two teams played in the final. In the end, India emerged as the winner of this tournament (yay!).</p><h5>Whom did India defeat in the finals of the tournament?</h5><p>On 4th July 2023, the Indian men's football team won the SAFF Championship 2023 trophy. They defeated Kuwait in the finals after a thrilling penalty shootout in Bengaluru. This is India’s ninth time winning the SAFF Championship in 14 editions. India also won the Intercontinental Cup last month.</p><p>The final match between India and Kuwait was a thriller. The game ended 1-1 after ninety minutes. Following this, 30 minutes of extra time was given. Neither team could score in the extra time. So, a penalty shootout took place. India won 5-4 in the penalty shootout and lifted the SAFF Championship 2023 trophy.</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/india-wins-the-saff-championship-2023%2FTeam%20India.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=dd3322bd-9a5f-4aab-94d2-c6b7c1735d3c" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>The Indian team after winning the SAFF Championship 2023. Video by Indian Football Team.</figcaption> </figure></div><h5>How was India’s performance in this tournament?</h5><p>India was placed in Group A, along with Nepal, Pakistan, and Kuwait. India came second in the group after defeating Nepal and Pakistan and drawing with Kuwait. The second-place position was enough for India to reach the tournament's semi-finals.</p><p>India faced Lebanon in the semi-finals, whom they defeated 4-2 in the penalty shootouts. All that remained between India and the trophy was Kuwait. India successfully defeated them to lift the trophy. It was a successful tournament for India.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/india-wins-the-saff-championship-2023%2FSunil%20Chhetri.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=26ea07ca-fb1d-47b7-b07d-f4cf2fba0ea2"><figcaption>The Indian team celebrating after winning the final. Photo by Royal Challengers Bangalore.</figcaption></figure><p>Sunil Chhetri, India's captain, scored five goals to become the SAFF Championship 2023’s leading goal scorer. All the players gave their best to win this tournament. Let’s hope India continues to win more such tournaments in the future.</p>

India defeated Kuwait in the final match of the SAFF Championship 2023.

India Wins the SAFF Championship 2023

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