In a nail-biting penalty shootout versus Kuwait, the Indian men’s football team prevailed 5-4 to win the championship of the SAFF Football Championship for 2023 at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium. India, who is now ranked 100th in the FIFA rankings, won their seventh SAFF Championship in 14 editions. After winning the Intercontinental Cup the previous month, they achieved their second victory in a row with this one.
The hosts, India, were unbeaten throughout the whole SAFF Championship 2023. In the group stage, they won against Pakistan and Nepal and drew with Kuwait. They defeated Lebanon on penalties in the semifinals, and then they accomplished the same feat in a thrilling final against Kuwait.
The team also received a monetary prize of USD 50,000, or INR 41 lakh, in addition to the medals.
Awarded for being second in the SAFF Championship 2023 was the Kuwaiti football team. In addition to receiving medals for each participant, the squad earned a cheque for US$25,000, or around INR20 lakh and INR 50,000.
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History of the SAFF Football Championship:
The national teams of South Asian nations compete in the biannual international football competition known as the SAFF Football Championship, commonly known as the South Asian Football Federation Championship. The region’s football is to be promoted and developed through the competition. Here is a synopsis of SAFF Football Championship history: The first SAFF Championship was place in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1993. India won the match by defeating Pakistan in the championship game.
India is well on its way to climbing the ranking ladder of FIFA ranking. Over the years, the Indian Football Team has been improving mainly thanks to the captaincy of Sunil Chhetri. Winning the SAFF Football Championship is a very big milestone for Indian football. We might finally see our country play at FIFA World Cup.
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