'SAFF Championship This Year Has Higher Competitive Value': AIFF General Secretary Dr Shaji Prabhakaran

03.07.2023 - 05:11 sports.ndtv.com

All India Football Federation (AIFF) Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran lauded the SAFF Championship for its high competitive value and said that the reason for it that there were two teams outside South Asian Football Federation region - Lebanon and Kuwait, reported the governing body of the sport on Sunday.

The SAFF Championship has been a happy hunting ground for India, with the Blue Tigers winning eight of the 13 editions held so far.

However, the ongoing 2023 edition of the championship is a rather special one, with the presence of quality teams like Lebanon and Kuwait, who have been brought in as special invitees.

India, who are on a preparation path for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which is set to take place in Qatar next year, have got some valuable experience of playing matches against Kuwait and Lebanon, along with games against South Asian Teams like Pakistan and Nepal.

Football Saff Sunil Chhetri Qatar India state Oregon Bangladesh Pakistan Kuwait Nepal Maldives Lebanon Bhutan

The AIFF is bullish on sending its first team to Asian Games led by its talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri if it is able to get the green light from the sports ministry for participation is the continental showpiece starting September 23 in Hangzhou. The national football team, which didn't get permission to participate during the Jakarta Games in 2018, is currently ranked 18th in Asia and the sports ministry's rule states that in team sport, only those in top-eight will get the nod.

Indian Football Team Set To Miss Asian Games Again. Here's Why

The Indian football team is likely to miss the Asian Games for the second time in a row as it does not meet the Sports Ministry's criteria of being ranked among the top-8 sides in the continent. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had earlier planned that the national senior team head coach Igor Stimac would take an Under-23 side to the September 23 to October 8 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China after the Kings Cup in Thailand (September 7-10).

"Rise Of Indian football Has Been Remarkable": AIFF Chief Kalyan Chaubey

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey congratulated Team India for clinching their record ninth South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title. He took to Twitter to congratulate Blue Tigers. "Nothing short of a spectacular night to remember Congratulations India. So proud of you @chetri_sunil11 @stimacigor & the entire team The rise of #IndianFootball has been truly remarkable We are brave, We are THE #BlueTigers," tweeted Chaubey.

Watch: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's Stunning Penalty Save That Sealed India's 9th SAFF Championship Title

India lifted a record ninth SAFF Championship title on Tuesday after overcoming Kuwait in the penalty shootout at Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru. There was a sense of panic in the Indian dugout after Kuwait had taken the lead through Shabaib Al Khaldi. However, the hosts finally equalised after Ashique Kuruniyan picked out Sunil Chhetri, who combined with Sahal Abdul Samad, to set up Lallianzuala Chhangte for an easy tap-in. The scoreline remained intact as the match went to extra-time, followed by penalties.

Cricketing Fraternity Reacts As India Lift SAFF Championship Title

The Indian cricket fraternity took to social media to celebrate the Indian men's football team's record-ninth South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title win. India lifted the SAFF Championship by getting better of Kuwait in the penalty shootout on Tuesday at the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah extended his congratulations to the Blue Tigers.

India Beat Kuwait In Penalty Shootout To Win SAFF Championships 2023 Title

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made the difference once again as he saved a crucial penalty kick in the summit clash to help India beat Kuwait 5-4 in the shootout and clinch SAFF Championships title for the ninth time here on Tuesday. After five rounds of penalty kicks, the scoreline remained 4-4 and sudden death rule was applied. Mahesh Naorem scored but a diving Sandhu saved Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiah's shot to the wild celebration of the home fans and at the India dug out. In the regulation time, Shabaib Al Khaldi had put Kuwait in the lead in the 14th minute before Lallianzuala Chhangte equalised in the 39th minute.