Hosts India has won the SAFF Championship 2023 title after beating Kuwait 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shootout at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on 4th July. Sunil Chhetri was the Indian football team captain. 

The Indian men’s football team won their ninth SAFF Championship 2023 in 14 editions. This was India’s second silverware on the trot after clinching the Intercontinental Cup last month. 

India is 100th in the latest FIFA rankings.  

The Indian football team beat Kuwait 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the regulation time ended 1-1 and neither team could score in the extra time.  

Kuwait’s captain Hajjeia missed the decisive spotkick in sudden death which was applied when the scoreline remained 4-4 after five rounds of penalty kicks. 

En route to the final, the Indian football team beat Lebanon in the semi-finals after finishing the group stage with wins over Pakistan and Nepal while drawing against Kuwait.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the Indian Football Team on winning SAFF Championship 2023.

The Prime Minister tweeted:

“India crowned champions, yet again! The Blue Tigers reign supreme at the SAFF Championship 2023! Congrats to our players. The Indian Team’s remarkable journey, powered by the determination and tenacity of these athletes, will continue to inspire upcoming sportspersons.”

Key Takeaways

• India has clinched the SAFF Championships title for the ninth time after beating Kuwait 5-4 in a penalty shootout. 
• India is 100th in the latest FIFA rankings.