Karnataka: Bengaluru witnessed an enthralling SAFF Championship edition, filled with intense competition and thrilling encounters. All India Football Federation (AIFF) Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran commended the tournament’s high competitive value, attributing it to the presence of two teams from outside the South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) region, Lebanon and Kuwait.
The SAFF Championship has traditionally been a successful outing for India, and this year’s edition holds special significance as the Blue Tigers prepare for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Qatar next year. The inclusion of quality teams like Lebanon and Kuwait, invited as special guests, has provided India with valuable match experience against formidable opponents alongside their encounters with South Asian teams such as Pakistan and Nepal.
Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran expressed his appreciation for the increased level of competition brought by the two teams from West Asia as well as the eagerly awaited rivalries, particularly the much-anticipated India versus Pakistan match. The 2023 SAFF Championship has captivated fans, with electric atmospheres in Bengaluru reminiscent of cricket matches. The tournament’s progress has generated significant buzz on social media, indicating the immense interest of sports enthusiasts in India’s performance.
The SAFF Championship in Bengaluru has witnessed the emergence of several noteworthy achievements. Indian captain Sunil Chhetri equaled the record of Maldives’ Ali Ashfaq for the highest number of goals scored in the SAFF Championships, both netting an impressive tally of 23. Chhetri’s hat-trick in the opening match against Pakistan propelled him to become the second-highest goalscorer in the history of Asian football, surpassing Malaysia’s Mokhtar Dahari with 89 goals to his name.
While Chhetri has been in scintillating form, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the goalkeeper for the Blue Tigers, has silently excelled at the other end of the pitch. Sandhu has maintained an exceptional five consecutive clean sheets for India, extending his impressive run from the Intercontinental Cup. The 31-year-old custodian set a personal record with five back-to-back clean sheets, surpassing his previous achievement of four in 2018. Furthermore, Sandhu’s contributions, alongside Amrinder Singh’s, have propelled India to equal its own record of eight consecutive clean sheets, a feat last achieved over seven decades ago in 1950–51.
As the defending champions march forward, they have exhibited great character, particularly against formidable opponents like Kuwait and Lebanon. The stage is set for an exhilarating summit clash between India and Kuwait at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the thrilling finale as India aims to clinch yet another SAFF Championship title.
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