Saff Championship 2023 Schedule, Host, Results, Points Table, and Live Streaming
by A Maria | Updated Jun 29, 2023
2023 SAFF Championship
The 2023 SAFF Championship is the 14th edition of the prestigious SAFF Championship. This biennial international men's football tournament is organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and showcases talent from across South Asia.
The tournament is taking place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, India, from June 21 to July 4, 2023. This state-of-the-art venue serves as the host for thrilling matches and sets the stage for intense competition among the participating nations. India enters the tournament as the defending champions, having secured their eighth title in 2021. They clinched victory by defeating Nepal in a gripping final, showcasing their prowess on the football field.
As the defending champions, India aims to maintain their dominance and strive for another remarkable triumph in front of their home crowd. Teams from South Asian nations will converge in Bangalore, bringing together a diverse range of footballing talents.
The tournament provides an exciting platform for players to showcase their skills, teamwork, and passion for the sport. Spectators can anticipate exhilarating matches, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments of skill and determination.
With fierce competition and national pride at stake, the 2023 SAFF Championship promises to be an enthralling event for football enthusiasts and fans of the beautiful game.
As the tournament unfolds, football lovers will witness the excitement, drama, and intense rivalries that make the SAFF Championship a highly anticipated sporting spectacle. Stay tuned as the teams from South Asia showcase their talent, sportsmanship, and shared passion for football in their quest for glory at the 2023 SAFF Championship in Bangalore, India.
SAFF Championship 2023 Schedule
On June 21, football fans around the world will witness the start of the highly anticipated SAFF Championship as two thrilling matches take place. The first match will feature Kuwait facing off against Nepal, while the second match will be a captivating clash between rivals India and Pakistan. These exciting encounters mark the beginning of the action-packed SAFF Championship 2023.
The SAFF Championship 2023 schedule is filled with a series of exhilarating matches that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. The tournament will showcase the footballing talents from South Asian nations as they compete for glory and national pride. The matches will take place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, India, from June 21 to July 4, 2023.
Date
Match
Time
June 21
Kuwait vs Nepal
3:30 PM
June 21
India vs Pakistan
7:30 PM
June 22
Lebanon vs Bangladesh
3:30 PM
June 22
Maldives vs Bhutan
7:30 PM
June 24
Pakistan vs Kuwait
3:30 PM
June 24
India vs Nepal
7:30 PM
June 25
Bangladesh vs Maldives
3:30 PM
June 25
Bhutan vs Lebanon
7:30 PM
June 27
Nepal vs Pakistan
3:30 PM
June 27
India vs Kuwait
7:30 PM
June 28
Lebanon vs Maldives
3:30 PM
June 28
Bhutan vs Bangladesh
7:30 PM
July 1
Semi-Final 1 - Group A Winner vs Group B Runners Up
3:30 PM
July 1
Semi-Final 2 - Group B Winner vs Group A Runners Up
7:30 PM
July 4
Final: Winner of Semi-Final 1 vs Winner of Semi-Final 2
7:30 PM
SAFF Championship 2023 Results
In an impressive display of skill and determination, the Indian men's football team secured their spot in the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2023 with a convincing 2-0 victory over Nepal. The match, held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, showcased the team's prowess and marked their eighth consecutive clean sheet in international matches.
The Indian team, led by captain Sunil Chhetri, demonstrated their dominance throughout the game. Chhetri himself played a pivotal role in securing the victory, finding the back of the net in the 61st minute. This goal was swiftly followed by another from Mahesh Singh in the 70th minute, further solidifying India's lead and securing their path to the semi-finals.
With this win, India now sits in second place on the Group A points table of the SAFF Championship 2023. The top position is currently held by Kuwait, who defeated Pakistan 4-0 earlier in the day, based on goals scored.
The Indian team, under the guidance of coach Igor Stimac, made eight changes to their starting lineup for this match, demonstrating their depth and versatility. Employing a 4-3-3 formation, India adopted a high-pressing strategy, applying constant pressure on the Nepal defense.
In contrast, Nepal focused on maintaining possession and launching occasional counter-attacks. Throughout the match, India showcased their attacking prowess, with several promising opportunities to take the lead in the early stages.
However, the resilient Nepal defense and some missed chances kept the scoreline level. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, India's goalkeeper, played a crucial role in denying Nepal's attempts to score, making a remarkable save in the 17th minute.
As the game progressed into the second half, India intensified their offensive efforts, displaying precise passing and determination. The breakthrough came when Mahesh Singh delivered a perfectly timed cross to Sunil Chhetri, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, scoring his 91st international goal. Buoyed by the lead, the Indian team continued to push forward, putting pressure on the Nepal defense.
Their efforts paid off once again as Mahesh Singh capitalized on an opportunity created by Sahal Abdul Samad, heading the ball into the net and securing a two-goal lead for India. With a comfortable advantage, India controlled the tempo of the game and maintained possession, ensuring their back-to-back victories in the SAFF Championship 2023.
This win also solidifies Sunil Chhetri's position as the third-highest goal-scorer among active players in international football, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Looking ahead, India will face Kuwait in their third and final Group A match on Tuesday, as they aim to maintain their momentum and secure their position as one of the top contenders in the tournament.
SAFF Championship 2023 Host
The announcement of the host for the 14th edition of the SAFF Championship was eagerly anticipated, and it was scheduled to be revealed after the SAFF members' meeting during the 33rd AFC Congress in Manama, Bahrain, on 1 February 2023.
However, it was not until 14 February 2023 that India was officially declared as the chosen host for the prestigious tournament. The anticipation continued to build, and on 19 March 2023, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) made an exciting announcement, revealing Bangalore as the selected host city for the SAFF Championship 2023.
SAFF Championship 2023 Points Table
KUW
2
2
0
0
7
1
+6
6
IND
2
2
0
0
6
0
+6
6
NEP
2
0
0
2
1
5
-4
0
PAK
2
0
0
2
0
8
-8
0
LIB
2
2
0
0
6
1
+5
6
MDV
2
1
0
1
3
3
0
3
BAN
2
1
0
1
3
3
0
3
BHU
2
0
0
2
1
6
-5
0
Group A
GP
W
D
L
F
A
GD
P
Group B
GP
W
D
L
F
A
GD
P
SAFF Championship 2023 Live Streaming
All in Indian Standard Times (IST)
June 21, Wednesday
June 22, Thursday
June 24, Saturday
June 25, Sunday
June 27, Tuesday
June 28, Wednesday
July 1, Saturday
July 2, Sunday
SAFF Championship 2023 Schedule - FAQs
The SAFF Championship 2023, also known as the 2023 Bangbandhu SAFF Championship, is the 14th edition of the prestigious men's football tournament organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). It brings together national teams from South Asian nations to compete for glory and showcase their footballing talents.
The SAFF Championship 2023 is being held from June 21 to July 4, 2023. The matches are being played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, India.
India enters the SAFF Championship 2023 as the defending champion. They secured their eighth title in 2021 by defeating Nepal in the final.
Football enthusiasts can anticipate thrilling matches, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments of skill and determination as teams from South Asian nations showcase their talent, teamwork, and passion for the sport. The tournament promises to be an enthralling event filled with excitement, drama, and intense rivalries.
The SAFF Championship 2023 schedule can be found on the official website of the tournament or through various sports news platforms. It features a series of exhilarating matches taking place from June 21 to July 4, 2023, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore.