India’s performance in SAF Championship
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
The Indian team has won the title of South Asian Football Federation Championship i.e. SAFF Championship. Simply put, the team has become the champion of South Asian football. In the final, India defeated Kuwait 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out. India won the title by winning the second consecutive match in the penalty shootout. Usually teams from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participate in this tournament.
Afghanistan joined SAFF in 2005. However, in 2015, Afghanistan left SAFF and established the Central Asian Football Association. Eight teams take part in this tournament. Sri Lanka’s team was disqualified and Afghanistan’s exit left only six teams.
In such a situation, two teams of the West Asian Football Federation – Lebanon and Kuwait were called as guest teams. Before the start of the tournament, Lebanon’s FIFA ranking was 99, while India was at 101 and Kuwait at 143. By the time the finals arrived, India entered the top 100 teams. His ranking went up to 100. At the same time, Lebanon reached 102nd and Kuwait 141st place.