SAFF Championship Archives

PFF names 23-member squad for SAFF U-16 championship

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Wednesday, announced a 23-member squad for the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 to be held in Bhutan next month.

The Green Shirts will kick off their campaign against home side Bhutan on September 1 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. While, in their second game, they will face Maldives at the same venue on September 3.

Pakistan Squad for SAFF Under-16 Championship

Defenders: Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Hasnain Saleem, Najeem Khan, Sameer Ahmed, Obaidullah Khan, Majid Ali, Syed Mohammad Abis Raza, and Umar Javed.

Midfielders: Abdul Samad, Mohammad Faraz, Farhad, Haroon Rashid, Hikmatullah, Khabib Khan, M. Shahab Ahmed and Muhammad Khan.

Forwards: Abdul Ghani, Hasnain Wali Raza, Subhan Karim and Syed Kabir Ali Shah

Goalkeepers: Adil Ali Khan, Balach Khan and Ghulam Abbas.

The 2023 SAFF U-16 Championship is the 8th edition of the tournament and will be played from September 1 to September 10 in Thimphu, Bhutan.

India are the current champions as well as the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won the tournament in 2022, 2019, 2017 and 2013.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have won the inaugural edition of SAFF U-16 championship in 2011.

The first edition of the SAFF U-16 championship took place in Nepal in August 2011. The competition was launched under the leadership of SAFF President Kazi Salahuddin who was elected in 2009.

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India beat Kuwait on penalties to win SAFF Championship 2023

BENGALURU: Sunil Chhetri-led India edged Kuwait 5-4 on the penalty shoot-out at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to win the SAFF Championship 2023 after the nailbiting final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Kuwait started the high-stake match on a high as the invitee side found the breakthrough in the 15th minute, courtesy of a fine finish by Shabib Al Khaldi.

India, backed up by a raucous home crowd, reacted in style, peppering the Kuwait box with assaults before Lallianzuala Chhangte levelled for the hosts at the 40-minute mark.

Both teams were unable to add to their first-half goals, and the enthralling SAFF Championship final between India and Kuwait entered into extra time.

The two sides remained inseparable despite the completion of the extra time and remained tied at 1-1 at the 120-minute mark.

Indian captain Sunil Chhetri stood up for his side to take the first penalty kick and cannoned it into the back of the net after the ball deflected from the left side of the crossbar.

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Mohammad Abdullah Daham took the first penalty for Kuwait but his decision to opt for power went against his will as the ball went over the top after thudding onto the crossbar.

India’s Sandesh Jinghan and Lallianzuala Chhangte and Kuwait’s Fawaz Al Otaibi and Ahmed Al-Dheflri all fired the ball at the back of the net as India’s lead remained intact.

India’s Udanta Singh Kumam made a costly error when he scooped the ball over to pave the way for Kuwait to make a comeback after missing the first penalty.

With both sides levelled at 4-4, Subhasish Bose held his nerves calm to deliver under pressure before Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a diving effort to stop Khalid El Ebrahim’s strike and powered India to a thrilling victory.

The victory propelled India to their record-extending ninth SAFF Championship title victory.

READ: Ireland edge Nepal to finish seventh in CWC Qualifier

Kuwait edge Bangladesh to reach SAFF Championship final

BENGALURU: Abdullah Albloushi struck the winner in the extra time to lift Kuwait to edge Bangladesh 1-0 and storm into the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship final.

The two sides were inseparable at the conclusion of the regulation time and thus the first semi-final of the ongoing SAFF Championship entered into the extra time.

Kuwait ultimately broke the tie in the 105th minute when Albloushi made an overlapping run and finished with a first-touch shot.

Bangladesh goalkeeper Anisur Rahman was hapless as the ball slid away from him and into the far post and the referee soon blew the whistle, calling the half-time of the extra time.

Bangladesh, who were in dire need of firing an equalizer remained under pressure by Kuwait forwards and remained unable to find the space.

Rakib Hossain came close to scoring the equaliser for Bangladesh when he received a calculated long pass into the box by Biswanath Ghosh but his shot on the first touch was blocked by the feet of the goalkeeper.

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Bangladesh then made a couple of desperate efforts in the closing minutes of the extra time but failed to do so as Kuwait ran away with a thrilling victory.

The 1-0 victory over Bangladesh in the semi-final meant Kuwait, who are playing their first SAFF Championship as an invitee alongside Lebanon, made it to the final in their first attempt.

Notably, Kuwait enjoyed an unbeaten run in the ongoing SAFF Championship.

They started their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Nepal before handing a 4-0 thrashing to Pakistan.

Kuwait then collided with tournament host India in their last group fixture and got fortunate support from India’s Anwar Ali, whose late own goal lifted them to force a 1-1 stalemate.

It is worth mentioning here that host India will lock horns with Lebanon in the second SAFF Championship semi-final tonight at the same venue.

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Lebanon storms into SAFF Championship semis at Maldive’s disposal

BENGALURU: Skipper Hassan Maatouk’s first-half goal lifted Lebanon to edge Maldives 1-0 and stormed into the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship semi-finals on Wednesday.

Maatouk gave Lebanon an early lead from a direct free-kick. He had luck in his favour as his attempt took a deflection off the defenders’ wall and caught the Maldives goalkeeper by surprise, who failed to stop the ball.

Mohamad Sadek missed the goal from close range after goal scorer Maatouk delivered a flawless cross, costing Lebanon a crucial chance to momentarily extend their advantage.

Having the scoreboard in their favour, Lebanon eased up a bit and allowed Maldives to make more threatening attempts but could not convert.

Following the first half, Lebanon again decided to be more aggressive and made several efforts in search of the second but the scoreboard remained intact and thus, the middle-east side ran away with the victory.

Click to watch SAFF Championship Live on ARY ZAP

The 1-0 victory over the Maldives marked their third straight win in the ongoing SAFF Championship and made their way into the semi-finals of the tournament.

Lebanon topped Group B standings with nine points in three matches and will take on hosts India in the second semi-final on June 1.

Notably, Lebanon remained the only team to win all their group fixtures in the ongoing SAFF Championship.

It is worth mentioning here that Bangladesh will take on Bhutan in the last group tie and have their semi-final berth fate in their own hands after Lebanon’s victory.

Bangladesh now sit at the second position in Group B with three points in two matches, followed by Maldives with as many points but in three matches.

Meanwhile, a victory would propel Bangladesh to the semi-final and even a draw will be enough for them.

Maldives, however, would want that Bangladesh to lose by a difference of at least two goals for them to progress to the semis.

READ: Late own goal sees India settle for a 1-1 stalemate with Kuwait

Late own goal sees India settle for a 1-1 stalemate with Kuwait

BENGALURU: A late own goal by Anwar Ali in the stoppage time restricted India to settle for a 1-1 draw against Kuwait after an ill-tempered South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship last Group A fixture on Tuesday.

Hosts, India got an upper hand just at the stroke of the half-time when Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring by converting the corner with great ease.

A corner coming from the right landed perfectly for an unmarked Sunil Chhetri inside the box, who made no mistake to guide it into the nets.

Tensions erupted in both camps during the second half when India’s head coach Igor Stimac received his second red card of the tournament.

The tensions persisted as the game continued and India’s Rahim Ali and Kuwait’s Hamad Al Qallaf were also given the send-off in the 90th minute.

With the completion of the regulation time, India were looking favourites to register a close 1-0 victory over Kuwait.

However, Kuwait then received unexpected support and equalised in the stoppage time, courtesy of an own goal by Anwar Ali.

Amrinder Singh had little opportunity to save the ball after a low cross from the right took a deflection off Anwar’s leg and landed in the far corner of the post.

India captain Sunil Chhetri was disappointed with the result but backed his teammate, Anwar, stating an error such as this can happen to anyone.

“It’s not Anwar, it is the country that conceded,” said Chhetri.

“It can happen to anyone. We didn’t even talk about it now (after the match) and we are all professional enough to not talk about it. I hope the kid shrugs it off, we all have his back as it can happen to anyone,” he added.

Following the 1-1 stalemate, both India and Kuwait remained unbeaten in the group stage but the latter occupied the top Group A standings due to superior goals scored.

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Aashish Chaudhary strikes as Nepal edge Pakistan in SAFF Championship

BANGALORE: Aashish Chaudhary struck late and powered Nepal to a narrow 1-0 victory over Pakistan in the ongoing South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship on Tuesday.

In the dead rubber Group A clash of the SAFF Championship since both sides were already out of the race to qualify for the semi-final, Pakistan locked horns with Nepal in a bid to taste their maiden triumph in the tournament.

The two sides, however, put on an enthralling contest and made several attempts of scoring the opener.

Pakistan had the best opportunity to fire the opener in the 21st minute when Pakistan captain Hassan Bashir was fouled which resulted in a free-kick for Pakistan.

Otis Khan took the spot kick just outside the Nepal box but Syed Abdul Shah headed it over the crossbar.

Nepal had their best chance in the dying minutes of the first half as a brilliant build-up lifted them to finally breach the Pakistan defence.

Bimal Gharti Magar got the ball inside Pakistan’s penalty area and had only Pakistan goalkeeper Yousaf Ijaz Butt to beat but failed.

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The two sides went into the break with the scoreboard still intact at nill.

Following the break, both sides looked more determined and Pakistan also benefitted from fresh legs courtesy of triple substitution in the 63rd minute.

But it was Nepal who made lethal attempts to fire a late winner and they succeeded just 10 minutes before the conclusion of the regulation time.

Laken Lambu set up a perfect chance for the substitute Aashish Chaudhary, who fired a low strike to put Nepal into the lead.

Nepal’s defence then managed to keep the blank sheet until the regulation time and a four-minute extra time as Pakistan succumbed to their third consecutive defeat in the SAFF Championship.

Earlier in the tournament, Pakistan suffered a 0-4 defeat against India and Kuwait respectively.

Following their dismal show in the SAFF Championship, the green shirts finished at the bottom of the Group A standings.

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Kuwait humble Pakistan in SAFF Championship

BENGALURU: Mubarak Al Faneni scored twice and powered Kuwait to a dominant 4-0 victory over Pakistan in the ongoing South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship on Saturday.

Kuwait started their second fixture of the SAFF Championship campaign on a high as the side took an early lead just 10 minutes into the game as Hasan Al Enezi fired the opener after a patient build-up from the right flank.

Al Enezi received a fine cross on the far post and made a gentle touch before burying the ball into the net.

Mubarak Al Faneni then doubled Kuwait’s lead in the 17th minute by tapping the ball in after Alrashidi had plenty of room to run into on the break before aiding the goalscorer as Pakistan’s defence was exposed.

The green shirts then made desperate efforts to push their way back into the game after being put under immense pressure but failed to breach Kuwait’s defence.

Kuwait then put on a cagey show as the contest moved closer to the break and held possession without making any further attempts.

As the game further advanced, Kuwait finally dropped their plan of playing defensively and made a move towards Pakistan’s post after a swift build-up from the midfield.

Mubarak Al Faneni was once again there for Kuwait and he dodged the charging Pakistan goalkeeper by chipping the ball over his head and into the net in the dying minutes of the first half.

Kuwait went into the break with a convincing 3-0 lead over Pakistan, who were in dire need to produce a contrasting outcome in the second half.

However, the second half also followed the same pattern as Kuwait once again looked more threatening with their possession and attempts.

Kuwait soon converted their dominance into the fourth goal after Eid Khaled Al Rashedi made no mistake in guiding the ball into the net in the 69th minute.

This was Pakistan’s straight second defeat in the ongoing SAFF Championship and came two days after they suffered a 0-4 loss at the hands of India.

On the contrary, Kuwait registered their second consecutive win in the tournament and firm their hold on top of Group A standings.

In today’s second fixture, hosts India will lock horns with Nepal. A victory for India would propel them and invitee Kuwait into the semi-finals of the event while Nepal and Pakistan would crash out.

READ: Kuwait humble Pakistan in SAFF Championship

Sunil Chhetri-led India thrash Pakistan in SAFF Championship

BENGALURU: India skipper Sunil Chhetri was unstoppable in the high-octane SAFF Championship clash against Pakistan as he led his side to a dominating 4-0 victory.

The star Indian footballer decimated Pakistan’s defence and scored a hat-trick in his side’s thumping 4-0 victory over Pakistan.

Sunil Chhetri scripted a perfect start for the hosts as he capitalised on a costly error by the Pakistan goalkeeper Saqib Hanif, who lost control of a regulation pass and left the room for Chhetri to slot the ball into the nets.

India were then awarded a penalty just five minutes later as Anirudh Thapa kicked the ball from the left-hand corner of the box which caught the hand of a Pakistan defender.

Sunil Chhetri opted to go for the penalty himself and he made no mistake in firing his second goal with utter composure.

Briefly, ahead of the break, things got heated up on the field when Indian coach Igor Stimac knocked the ball from Abdullah Iqbal’s hands who was ready for a throw-in.

Following the offence, the Indian coach was given a send-off while Pakistan’s Rahis Nabi and Sandesh Jhingan were given a Yellow card for their involvement in the altercation.

At the halftime mark, India had a healthy 2-0 lead over clueless Pakistan.

Sunil Chhetri then completed his hat trick in the 74th minute as he converted another penalty after he was fouled in the box by Mohammad Sufyan.

Udanta Singh Kumam then joined the party for India as he registered himself on the scoresheet with a fine field goal in the 81st minute.

With their dominant 4-0 victory over Pakistan, India registered their seventh consecutive clean sheet.

Pakistan’s schedule in SAFF Championship

June 24 – Kuwait
June 27 – Nepal

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Pakistan football team to depart today for SAFF Championship in India

Pakistan men’s football team will depart for Mumbai on Tuesday evening to participate in the upcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, scheduled to take place from June 21 to July 4.

According to the details, the national football team will depart from Mauritius Island in the evening today to Mumbai.

Upon their arrival in Mumbai, Pakistan men’s football team will then fly to Bengaluru where the eight-team SAFF Championship 2023 will take place.

Earlier, the Pakistan team received a two-day delay in the issuance of the Visas due to which they could not depart for Bengaluru as per schedule on Sunday.

Pakistan will start their SAFF Championship campaign against arch-rivals India on June 21 before taking on Nepal and invitee Kuwait.

Notably, the Pakistan football team are currently in Mauritius where they participated in the four-nation tournament.

The national team failed to impress in the four-nation tournament as they remained winless in the entire competition, losing to Mauritius, Kenya and Djibouti respectively.

After concluding their campaign in the four-nation tournament, the Pakistan men’s football team will mark their return to the SAFF Championship after missing the last two out of the 13 editions held since 1993.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) could not send its men’s team for the 2015 edition held in India due to the lack of funds.

The national side then missed the 2021 edition as they were serving a suspension from FIFA, which was lifted last year in June.

Sri Lanka will not be participating in the tournament as they are serving a suspension from the football governing body FIFA, while Afghanistan left SAFF and joined the Central Asian Football Federation.

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Pakistan team receives Visa to participate in SAFF Championship in India

Pakistan men’s football team on Monday, received the Visas to participate in the upcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in India, scheduled to take place from June 21 to July 4.

According to the details, the Indian High Commissioner in Mauritius issued the Visas to the Pakistan football team, which will now travel to India via the first available flight.

Notably, the Pakistan team received a two-day delay in the issuance of the Visas due to which they could not depart for Bengaluru as per schedule on Sunday.

Pakistan will start their SAFF Championship campaign against arch-rivals India on June 21 before taking on Nepal and invitee Kuwait.

Notably, the Pakistan football team are currently in Mauritius where they participated in the four-nation tournament.

The national team failed to impress in the four-nation tournament as they remained winless in the entire competition, losing to Mauritius, Kenya and Djibouti respectively.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) could not send its men’s team for the 2015 edition held in India due to the lack of funds.

The national side then missed the 2021 edition as they were serving a suspension from FIFA, which was lifted last year in June.

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