India meet Kuwait in SAFF Cup football final today

by Susil Premalal 

The final of the SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Cup 2023 between India and Kuwait will take place today (July 4) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, India. 
For the first time in the history of the SAFF football tournament, Sri Lanka did not take part, because of the current ban imposed by FIFA. 
This led to two teams outside the South Asian region, Kuwait and Lebanon, being invited to take part in the competition. 
The two finalists are unbeaten, in their run to the title decider. 

India are ranked 101 in the FIFA world rankings and Kuwait 143, and football fans can expect a closely contested final. 
India and Kuwait both won two matches and drew one in the three matches played during the preliminary round. 
In the semifinals, Kuwait beat Bangladesh 1-0 and India beat Lebanon 4-2 on penalties to qualify for the finals. 
India who has taken part in the SAFF Cup since its inception have won the title eight times in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2021. 
Sri Lanka who also took part in the inaugural tournament and were a regular participant since, emerged champions during the Colombo edition in 1995. 
In the last tournament held in 2021, India beat Nepal 3-0 to emerge champions. 
India’s star player Sunil Chhetri has scored five goals so far in SAFF 2023 to become the highest scorer. 
Meanwhile, due to the FIFA suspension no Sri Lankan international referee is officiating in the SAFF tournament. 

SAFF 2023 Preliminary Round Results: 

• Group ‘A’ 

Kuwait beat Nepal 3-1, India beat Pakistan 4-0, Kuwait beat Pakistan 4-0, India beat Nepal 2-0, Nepal beat Pakistan 1-0, India vs Kuwait (1-1). 

• Group ‘B’ 

Lebanon beat Bangladesh 2-0, Maldives beat Bhutan 2-0, Bangladesh beat Maldives 3-1, Lebanon beat Bhutan 4-1, Lebanon beat Maldives 1-0, Bangladesh beat Bhutan 3-1. 

• Semi finals: Kuwait beat Bangladesh 1-0, India beat Lebanon 4-2 (penalties) 
• Finals: India vs Kuwait at 7.30pm today