AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: After a testing start in Maldives, it was a triumphant campaign for the Blue Tigers as they lifted the SAFF Championship 2021 on Saturday, October 16, 2021, after defeating Nepal by 3 goals. India played some scintillating football in the final, and earned their 8th SAFF Championship in style, with Sahal Abdul Samad wrapping up the title for the nation in style.
Following the final whistle, Indian Football fans erupted on social media, as they showed their jubilation over the victory by the Indian Team. People joined in on Twitter as wishes started to pour in from all sides.
AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel was one of the first people to congratulate the team on their victory.
Heartiest Congratulations to our men's football team for winning the #SAFFChampionship2021. The #BlueTigers showed exceptional skills & determination during the game. We cherish this win and are proud of your efforts!#INDNEP #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball @IndianFootball
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) October 16, 2021
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Thakur also sent in his best wishes, along with the most notable moments of the match.
INDIA 🇮🇳 wins its 8th #SAFFChampionships2021 Title 🏆
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 16, 2021
@chetrisunil11 scripts history as he equals Lionel Messi’s record of making 80 goals in International Men's ⚽
Goal scorers:
S Chettri
S Singh
S A Samad
Congratulations to the #BlueTigers ! pic.twitter.com/ZU5e346JKs
Mr. Aaditya Thackeray, the President of the Mumbai District Football Association and one of the young leaders in India, praised the Blue Tigers for their astounding feat on Saturday.
Congratulations Champions! The @IndianFootball Men’s Team!
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 16, 2021
🥇 🏆 https://t.co/aTKOsepMx4
The AFC (Asian Football Confederation), the Sports Authority of India, the Sports and Youth Services department of Odisha, and Khelo India also wished the team for their achievements in Maldives.
INDIA win their 8️⃣th #SAFFChampionships2021 Title 🏆
— Khelo India (@kheloindia) October 16, 2021
We defeat Nepal 3️⃣-0️⃣ in the final
Goal scorers:
Sunil Chettri
Suresh
Samad
Many congratulations to the #BlueTigers!!!
Sunil Chhetri equals Lionel Messi record of 80 goals in International ⚽#KheloIndia#IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/yJ6RIUEzXw
🏆 Congratulations 🇮🇳 India for being crowned the #SAFFChampionship2021 champions! https://t.co/QDuI90JNYx
— AFC (@theafcdotcom) October 16, 2021
Congratulations @IndianFootball on winning the #SAFFChampionship2021 by beating Nepal 3-0 in the final. #IndianFootball #Champions https://t.co/lTqzFm28O3
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) October 16, 2021
INDIA win their 8️⃣th #SAFFChampionships2021 Title 🏆
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) October 16, 2021
🇮🇳 defeat 🇳🇵 3️⃣-0️⃣ in the final
Goal scorers:
S Chhetri
Suresh
Samad
Many congratulations to the #BlueTigers!!!@chetrisunil11 equals #LionelMessi's record of 8️⃣0️⃣ goals in International ⚽#IndianFootball #BacktheBlue pic.twitter.com/CKFOg6JUMf
Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri was quick to reflect on the team’s achievements as well, especially praising the likes of Sahal Abdul Samad and Suresh Singh.
Didn't start like we should have, but ended exactly how we wanted to. Proud of this bunch and the way we got things on track.
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) October 17, 2021
I enjoyed watching that, Sahal.👌
Suresh, of all the things you copy from me, this is up there. Make it a habit.🙂 #SAFFChampionship2021 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Z67Kca5qBh
Bollywood superstar and Chennaiyin FC co-owner Abhishek Bachchan also sent in in his best wishes following the final whistle.
FANTASTIC!!!!
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) October 16, 2021
well done boys 💪🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#SAFFChampionship2021 #IndianFootball https://t.co/Ht8hMW5JGh
Indian embassy in Nepal and Maldives also congratulated the team on winning the 8th SAFF Championship in history.
Congratulations India @IndianFootball Well played #Nepal
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) October 16, 2021
Take a bow, @chetrisunil11 @sahal_samad
Keep up that passing game, that fitness and that physicality.
Destined for greater things. #SAFFChampionship2021
Congratulations #TeamIndia for winning #SAFFChampionship in football!🏆 https://t.co/jJh3NWopgI
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) October 16, 2021
Women’s Hockey Team captain, Rani Rampal and former Men’s Tennis team captain, Mustafa Ghouse, also congratulated the team on their success in the SAFF Championship.
Heartiest congratulations to the Indian football team for winning the SAFF Championship trophy for the eighth time💐
— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) October 17, 2021
Also congratulations @chetrisunil11 for scoring his 80th goal for India and he equals Lionel Messi in the list of top goal scorers in International Football. pic.twitter.com/6b8ml7zN82
Cricketers Manoj Tiwari and Munaf Patel congratulated the team on their win.
Well done @IndianFootball! Congratulations on winning the #SAFFChampionship2021... 💙🇮🇳💙#BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/cREGorCRgU
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) October 16, 2021
Congratulations @IndianFootball well deserve Victory #football #SAFFChampionship2021 https://t.co/7R1HzKQA10
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) October 17, 2021
The domestic leagues in Indian Football did not hold back in their praise for the national team as well!
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 16, 2021
The @IndianFootball team stay unbeaten and swoop in on their EIGHTH #SAFFChampionship title! 🤩🇮🇳#IndianFootball #BackTheBlue #INDNEP #SAFFChampionship2021 pic.twitter.com/bZYqtc51bY
.@IndianFootball have done it💙💙💙
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) October 16, 2021
It is full-time and the scoreline reads
🇮🇳 3-0 🇳🇵#INDNEP ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/uo6PxBB8HD
Following the win, the Blue Tigers themselves could not control their excitement as they posted messages on social media.
The Cup comes home 🏆 It took us a bit to show what we are about, and I'm glad we began turning up like we did.
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) October 16, 2021
Also, the only thing better than a clean sheet is watching your son score and slide to celebrate in the rain. Well done kid @SureshWangjam
😊 #SAFFChampionship2021 pic.twitter.com/i2y6MknmEL
This has been some journey. As a nation, we were united in a belief that we can achieve something special after the hardest of years.
— Pritam Kotal (@KotalPritam) October 17, 2021
🏆 SAFF Championship 2021#Champions #SAFFChampionship #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball #PK20 pic.twitter.com/zEb2xhisAI
Elated ❤️🥂#SAFFCup2021 #champions #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/di9Os4bK6n
— Anirudh Thapa (@AnirudhThapa) October 17, 2021
Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri also swept all the awards at the tournament, winning the Most Valuable Player Award, Man of the Match award in the final and highest goalscorer of the tournament as well. India steadily improved throughout the tournament and will be looking to continue on that upward trajectory.
Shop
