India won the SAFF Championship 2023 on Tuesday, defeating Kuwait 3-1 in the final. This is their ninth title in the tournament, and their first back-to-back win since 2015-16.
The match was played at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives. India took the lead in the 12th minute through Sunil Chhetri. Kuwait equalized in the 37th minute through Fahad Al Ansari. However, India scored two more goals in the second half through Manvir Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad to win the match.
Chhetri was named the player of the tournament. He scored 6 goals in the tournament, including the winner in the final.
The win is a major boost for Indian football. It comes just a few months before the team competes in the AFC Asian Cup. India will be looking to build on this success and make a deep run in the Asian Cup.
Here are some reactions to India's win:
- "This is a historic win for Indian football. We have been the most successful team in the SAFF Championship, and this win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players and coaches." - Praful Patel, President of the All India Football Federation
- "This is a great day for Indian football. We have finally broken our jinx against Kuwait and won the SAFF Championship after a long time. I am confident that this win will give our players the confidence to perform well in the AFC Asian Cup." - Sunil Chhetri, captain of the Indian national football team
- "This is a great achievement for Indian football. We have shown that we can compete with the best teams in the region. I am confident that this win will inspire more young people to take up football and make India a footballing powerhouse." - Igor Stimac, head coach of the Indian national football team
India's win is a major moment for Indian football. It is a sign that the team is making progress and is capable of competing with the best teams in the region. The win will give the team a boost of confidence ahead of the AFC Asian Cup, and it will be interesting to see how they perform in the tournament.
