The Indian national men’s football team clinched a thrilling victory in the SAFF Championship 2023, securing the title in a captivating penalty shootout against Kuwait. The match ended with a scoreline of 5-4 in favor of India. The thrilling final took place at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium, marking India’s triumph in their ninth SAFF Championship out of 14 editions. This win comes on the heels of their recent success in the Intercontinental Cup.
India, serving as the host nation, showcased an unbeaten performance throughout the SAFF Championship 2023. They emerged victorious against Pakistan and Nepal in the group stage while settling for a draw against Kuwait. In the semifinals, they overcame Lebanon in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, replicating the same feat in the final against Kuwait. In addition to the championship title, the Indian team was awarded a cash prize of USD 50,000 (approximately INR 41 lakh).
Kuwait’s football team received recognition as the runners-up in the SAFF Championship 2023. Each player was presented with medals, and the team received a cheque worth USD 25,000 (approximately 20 lakh in Indian currency).
Here are the notable awardees of the tournament:
- Fairplay Award: Nepal football team
- Best Goalkeeper: Anisur Rahman Zico
- Highest Goal-Scorer: Sunil Chhetri (6 Goals)
- Most Valuable Player (MVP): Sunil Chhetri
The SAFF Football Championship, also known as the South Asian Football Federation Championship, is a prestigious biennial international football tournament that brings together the national teams of South Asian countries. The championship serves as a platform to promote and enhance the development of football in the region. The inaugural edition took place in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1993, where India emerged as the champions after defeating the host nation, Pakistan, in the final.
https://www.instagram.com/worldcupduniya/
#Sunilchettri # Indianfootball # SAFFCHAMPIONSHIP