What is the SAFF Championship?
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship is a big soccer competition for men's national teams in South Asia. SAFF organises the tournament for its member countries. The member countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
But this year, Sri Lanka didn't take part in this tournament. So, the remaining six countries, along with Kuwait and Lebanon, participated in the SAFF Championship 2023.
Neither Kuwait nor Lebanon are SAFF members. These countries have never played in the tournament before. They were invited to make the competition more exciting. The eight teams were divided into two groups. Four teams made it to the semi-finals, and two teams competed in the final. In the end, India won the tournament (yay!).
Whom did India defeat in the finals of the tournament?
On 4th July 2023, the Indian men's football team won the SAFF Championship 2023 trophy. They beat Kuwait in the finals after an exciting penalty shootout. This is India's ninth time winning the SAFF Championship.
The final match between India and Kuwait was really exciting. It ended in a 1-1 draw after ninety minutes. They played an extra thirty minutes, but no goals were scored. So, they had a penalty shootout. India won 5-4 in the penalty shootout and lifted the trophy.
How was India’s performance in this tournament?
India was in Group A for the tournament, along with Nepal, Pakistan, and Kuwait. India finished second in the group and reached the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, India played against Lebanon and won with a score of 4-2 in the penalty shootouts. The final match was against Kuwait, and India won, lifting the trophy.
Sunil Chhetri, India's captain, scored five goals and became the top goal scorer of the SAFF Championship 2023. All the players gave their best to win the tournament. Let's hope India continues to win more tournaments like this in the future.
