Maldives second only to India in most SAFF Championship match wins

As the 15th edition of the SAFF Championship begins in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Maldives has emerged as the second most successful team in the tournament's history in terms of matches won. Maldives has participated in the tournament 12 times, including this year's edition, first competing in 1997 after missing the initial two editions held under the name 'SAARC Gold Cup'. In that debut year, Maldives finished as runner-up, losing 1-5 to India in the final. Since then, Maldives has been a consistent participant in every SAFF Championship. Overall, Maldives has played 50 matches in the tournament, winning 25, drawing 11, and losing 14, for a total of 86 points. India leads the all-time standings, having played 62 matches, winning 39, drawing 15, and losing eight, for 132 points. India has scored 108 goals, while Maldives has netted 98 goals in its 50 matches. Maldives has won the SAFF Championship twice, in 2008 and 2018, finished runner-up three times, and secured third place twice. In this year's group stage, Maldives and India are placed in the same group, which also includes Pakistan.