Year Ender 2023: SAFF Victory to Asian Games Controversy - The Highs and Lows of Indian Football in 2023

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Indian football has been growing as each calendar year progresses. The most popular sport of the world has been breaking shackles and is surely getting closer to the nation's numero uno, Cricket.

The year 2023 saw India taking some significant leaps in the footballing penchant. Across the domestic league and international arena, there have been some exclusive progression which will serve Indian football well in the upcoming years.

Indian football team played in the Asian Games, won the SAFF Championship and the Intercontinental Cup to round off a pretty successful year. The Blue Tigers registered 10 victories, and only lost 3 matches this year.

Along with the high points, there were a few setbacks as well. Here are the zeniths and nadirs of Indian football in 2023-

Year 2023 in Indian Football - The Highs

Let's have a look at the moments of Indian football to rejoice in the year 2023-

Winning the SAFF Championship

India won their 9th SAFF Championship title with a fantastic performance in 2023. The Blue Tigers beat Pakistan and Nepal in the group stages, then went on to beat Lebanon in the semi-final and Kuwait in the Final to win the tournament. It was a massive moment for the Indian team.

India Fixtures and Results in SAFF 2023

India 4-0 Pakistan (Group Stage)
India 2-0 Nepal (Group Stage)
India 1-1 Kuwait (Group Stage)
India 0-0 Lebanon (Ind win 4-2 in penalties) (SF)
India 1-1 Kuwait (Ind win 5-4 in penalties) (Final)

Beating Kuwait in World Cup Qualifiers

India started their Round 2 of World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers with a monumental result. They won the match in Kuwait with the solitary goal of Manvir Singh and thus have a massive opportunity now to advance to the next round. Despite their subsequent loss to Qatar, Sunil Chhetri and his team have ample avenues to get the Round 3 ticket.

Arsene Wenger in India and the AIFF-FIFA Academy

In November, legendary manager and current FIFA Global Chief of Development Arsene Wenger came to India to inaugurate an academy in Bhubaneswar. The AIFF joined hands with FIFA to produce this academy which will revolutionize grassroots football by nurturing the young talents of the country and providing them a pathway to succeed.

Year 2023 in Indian Football - The Lows

If we talk about the lows of Indian football, there haven't been many. But across the domestic and international circuit, we have found some incidents which may have tarnished the game-

Kerala Blasters ISL Controversy

In the ISL 2022-23 season, Kerala Blasters were involved in a huge controversy. During their semifinal against Bengaluru FC, a free kick goal from Sunil Chhetri was given but the Blasters walked out of the match in protest as they alleged the referee to award the goal unfairly in favour of Bengaluru FC.

The Blasters' coach Ivan Vukomanovic called his team off the pitch and subsequently, they forfeited the tie. It was not a good picture of Indian football and a low point of 2023.

Indian Football Team almost denied Asian Games participation

The Indian men's and women's Football teams were almost denied participation in the Asian Games. Both teams were not chosen by the Olympic Association of India to take part in Hangzhou, and it caused a massive uproar.

India's men's team coach Igor Stimac publicly pleaded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and allow their participation, and after much mulling, the football teams got the green light.

The football action of 2023 for the Indian national team is done and dusted. As we are set to welcome 2024, the task gets bigger for the football team. The Blue Tigers will kickstart their 2024 with participation in the AFC Asian Cup and it will be a massive challenge for them.