SAFF Championship 2023: Complete list of award winners

After a momentous SAFF Championship campaign a number of accolades were given out to the deserving candidates.

India prevailed in the final of the SAFF Championship 2023, beating Kuwait 5-4 on penalties and taking home the all-important trophy. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri, and Mahesh Singh all played crucial roles in this campaign.

Sahal Abdul Samad, Nikhil Poojary, and Udanta Singh were some other notable mentions. In its entirety, the whole Indian squad was up to the mark for the championship and helped the squad achieve another milestone. But who else picked up the other team and individual laurels? Here are all the award-winners of the SAFF Championship 2023.

Champions trophy and medal - India

With four wins and just one draw to eventual finalists Kuwait in the group stage, India had a formidable run to the trophy. A gritty 1-1 draw in the final forced them into their second successive shootout, winning which granted them solace. With that, India gained their ninth SAFF Championship title and took home the winners’ medal after defending the trophy successfully. 

Runners-up medal - Kuwait

The WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) members’ first-ever appearance in the competition was a defeat-free campaign till the finals. Despite losing to India in the finals, Al-Azraq matched the title defenders step-for-step. Forwards Al Khaldi and Al Faneeni had excellent campaigns and defender Al Bloushi was also crucial with his goal in the semi-final and assist in the final. A cumulative effort from the Middle-eastern nation saw them get the silver, runners-up medals for the first time in the SAFF Championship. 

Man of the Match (Final)- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Gurpreet has been India’s wall at the SAFF Championship 2023. He snatched two clean sheets and kept his side in the game against Kuwait and Lebanon. The towering goal custodian’s quintessential save to deny captain Khaled Hajiah in the sudden death stage of the final was part of this and helped India clinch the trophy. He was deservedly adjudged to be the best player and handed the Man of the Match award. 

Fair Play Award - Nepal

India’s northern neighbors lost to them and Kuwait but managed to beat Pakistan by a slender 1-0 margin. In the process, Nepal proceeded to get only four yellows; the lowest of any team in the competition. As an ode to their level-headed style of play, they were awarded the Fair Play trophy for the competition. 

Golden Glove - Anisur Rehman Zico (Bangladesh)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu kept two clean sheets while Lebanon shot-stopper Mehdi Khalil managed three. But performance-wise, Bangladesh goal custodian Anisur Rehman Zico was the best, as he pulled off a good 15 saves. Accordingly, the goalkeeper was handed out the best goalkeeper of the Tournament award for his outstanding display. 

Golden Boot - Sunil Chhetri (India)

With 5 goals in the tournament, Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri won the Golden Boot by a majestic margin. His hat trick against Pakistan and goals against every other side he faced helped him to this award. 

Golden Ball - Sunil Chhetri (India)

Yet another award for the legendary goalscorer and captain, Sunil Chhetri was also honoured as the best player in the tournament. Not only were all five of his goals crucial for his side’s title defense, but he himself became the SAFF Championship’s top goalscorer of all time. With five goals in this tournament, he took his total tally to 25, breaking Ali Ashfaq’s 23-goal record from 10 years back.