India clinched its record 9th SAFF Championship title, beating Kuwait on penalties.๐ฎ๐ณ INDIA are SAFF ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ for the 9๏ธโฃth time! ๐๐ 1993๐ 1997๐ 1999๐ 2005๐ 2009๐ 2011๐ 2015๐ 2021๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฏ#SAFFChampionship2023 #BlueTigers ๐ฏ #IndianFootball โฝ pic.twitter.com/3iLJQSeyWG— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 4, 2023Kuwait took the lead through a 14-minute strike from Shabib Al Khaldi. Mumbai City winger Lallianzuala Chhangte equalised on the 38-minute mark. The rest of the game was a cagey affair, and there were few clear-cut chances for either team to win the game.After the game went to penalties, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved Kuwait captain Khaled Hajiahs shot to win the game for the Blue Tigers.Penalty shoot outs!๐ฐ๐ผ: โ โ โ โ โ โ๐ฎ๐ณ: โ โ โ โ โ โ ..#SAFFChampionship2023 #INDKUW pic.twitter.com/IaTfnXENjz— FanCode (@FanCode) July 4, 2023After India won the SAFF Championship 2023, tributes started pouring in from various leaders around the country.Indian football team congratulated by Modi and Shah for SAFF Championship winPrime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate the victorious Indian team, and said that the teams “remarkable journey, powered by the determination and tenacity of [the Indian] athletes… will continue to inspire upcoming sportspersons.”India crowned champions, yet again! The Blue Tigers reign supreme at the #SAFFChampionship2023! Congrats to our players. The Indian Teams remarkable journey, powered by the determination and tenacity of these athletes, will continue to inspire upcoming sportspersons. pic.twitter.com/DitI0NunmD— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2023Home Minister Amit Shah too congratulated the Blue Tigers for igniting the spark of our pride.Congratulations to Blue Tigers the Indian football team for igniting the spark of our pride by winning the #SAFFChampionship for the record 9th time. Your indomitable spirit will define the paths of generations. pic.twitter.com/Kz7E98zAYm— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 4, 2023Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, also congratulated the team on the win, and told them to keep shining.We have done it again!Kudos to the #BlueTigers โฝ๏ธ for holding their nerve in such a gripping encounter with Kuwait in the final & giving a scintillating performance to clinch the #SAFFChampionship ๐๐ for a record 9๏ธโฃth time. ๐ฎ๐ณ is thrilled on your victory, keep shining! ๐… pic.twitter.com/lxmOzQvspt— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 4, 2023Other politicians to congratulate the team include Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Javadekar and BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra.CHAMPIONS! ๐ฎ๐ณ๐Heartiest congratulations to the incredible @IndianFootball team on an outstanding performance, capturing their 9th SAFF Championship.Youve made the entire nation proud. Keep shining and inspiring us with your remarkable skills and dedication.… pic.twitter.com/AlZj7s0zdr— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) July 4, 2023Congratulations ๐ฎ๐ณKudos to the #IndianFootball Team led by @chetrisunil11 on winning the 9th #SAFFChampionship ๐ by defeating Kuwait in the final. Enitre country is proud of your incredible performance. Keep Winning & Shining for India.Jai Ho! #SunilChhetri #SAFF… pic.twitter.com/69Wkg8Wh6o— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) July 4, 2023Cricket and football fraternity celebrate SAFF Championship winThe members of the Indian football celebrated the hard-fought SAFF title, with head coach Igor Stimac posting a heartfelt message on Twitter.Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the fans for their undying support๐๐ฝ๐ I am deeply touched by everyone who came out to support us in the stadiums and the thousands sending good wishes and appreciating the hard work we have been putting in for the last 4 years. pic.twitter.com/gYRzxjKzaf— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) July 4, 2023All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey, who was instrumental in organising the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, congratulated the team on their victory.Nothing short of a spectacular night to rememberCongratulations India. So proud of you @chetri_sunil11 @stimacigor & the entire team The rise of #IndianFootball has been truly remarkableWe are brave, We are THE #BlueTigers pic.twitter.com/XoGPZ3U3Xr— Kalyan Chaubey (@kalyanchaubey) July 4, 2023The cricketing fraternity joined in, hailing their footballing colleagues in making the country proud.Congratulatory tweets were posted by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, Washington Sundar, and former cricketer Manoj Tiwary.A nail biting finish sees the Blue Tigers triumph over Kuwait. A huge victory for Indian football as we are the 9 time champions of the SAFF.@IndianFootball#KUWIND #SAFFChampionship2023 #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/wxtLZpuf1t— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 4, 2023Well played #TeamIndia! ๐ฎ๐ณWhat a thrilling win in an intense final. Congratulations to each and everyone in the team. You have made us proud! โฝ#SAFFChampionship2023 pic.twitter.com/LVGvSZKqqy— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 4, 2023Congratulations to @chetrisunil11 and the @IndianFootball on their sensational victory at the SAFF Championship! ๐ฎ๐ณ Incredible display of skill, teamwork, and determination! ๐ #SAFFChampionship #IndianFootball #Champions ๐๐ฎ๐ณ— Washington Sundar (@Sundarwashi5) July 4, 2023Breathtaking @GurpreetGK does it again! We are the champions!!!! ๐๐โฝโฝAn incredible team performance!! ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ณAn unbeaten @IndianFootball clinch their 9th SAFF Championship! ๐๐๐ซถ#India #Kuwait #KUWIND #SAFFChampionship2023 #BlueTigers #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/BobB9C91BT— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 4, 2023
