The SAFF Championship, formerly known as the SAARC Gold Cup, has been a prestigious football tournament in South Asia since its inception in 1993. Over the years, the championship has grown in popularity, expanding from a four-team affair to an eight-team extravaganza.
The tournament has witnessed thrilling matches, intense rivalries, and memorable moments. Let’s delve into the SAFF Championship winners’ list, including the champions, runners-up, and final results of each edition.
India stands out as the most successful team in the history of the SAFF Championship, having clinched the title a remarkable eight times. Additionally, India has finished as runners-up four times, reaching the final in 12 out of the 13 editions held so far.
Maldives follows closely behind India, having won the SAFF Cup twice in five final appearances. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have each secured the coveted title once.
Throughout the tournament’s history, the SAFF Championship final has witnessed extraordinary moments. Four finals have extended into extra time, with two requiring penalty shootouts to determine the winner. One earlier edition final was decided by Sudden Death, while another match reached a conclusion in extra time.
In certain editions, a third-place playoff match has taken place to determine the bronze medalist. However, this feature has not been consistent throughout the tournament’s history. Only the inaugural edition and four subsequent editions have featured a third-place playoff. Teams such as India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, and Nepal have all claimed the third-place position in different editions.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the SAFF Championship winners, runners-up, and final results of each edition:
1993 (Pakistan) Champions: India Final Score: Round-Robin Runners-up: Sri Lanka
1995 (Sri Lanka) Champions: Sri Lanka Final Score: 1-0 (Sudden Death) Runners-up: India
1997 (Nepal) Champions: India Final Score: 5-1 Runners-up: Maldives
1999 (India) Champions: India Final Score: 2-0 Runners-up: Bangladesh
2003 (Bangladesh) Champions: Bangladesh Final Score: 1-1 AET (5-3 PS) Runners-up: Maldives
2005 (Pakistan) Champions: India Final Score: 2-0 Runners-up: Bangladesh
2008 (Maldives & Sri Lanka) Champions: Maldives Final Score: 1-0 Runners-up: India
2009 (Bangladesh) Champions: India Final Score: 0-0 AET (3-1 PS) Runners-up: Maldives
2011 (India) Champions: India Final Score: 4-0 Runners-up: Afghanistan
2013 (Nepal) Champions: Afghanistan Final Score: 2-0 Runners-up: India
2015 (India) Champions: India Final Score: 2-1 AET Runners-up: Afghanistan
2018 (Bangladesh) Champions: Maldives Final Score: 2-1 Runners-up: India
2021 (Maldives) Champions: India Final Score: 3-0 Runners-up: Nepal
AET – After Extra Time; PS – Penalty Shootout
The SAFF Championship continues to captivate football enthusiasts in South Asia, showcasing the region’s talent and fostering fierce competition. As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly anticipate new chapters in its storied history.
