Host country Bangladesh Champions Bangladesh (1st title) Third place India | Venue(s) (in 1 host city) Runners-up Maldives | |
Dates 10 January – 20 January | ||
The 2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh between 10 January 2003 and 20 January 2003. All matches were played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Originally scheduled to be held between 26 January 2002 and 5 February 2002, the tournament was postponed due to the suspension of Bangladesh Football Federation by FIFA. Afghanistan were not in the draw, but were included in the tournament following the recommendation from AFC to do so. It was also Bhutan's first tournament.
The final was contested by Bangladesh and the Maldives. Ali Umar had levelled in the second half after Kanchan had given Bangladesh the lead. The match went to penalties and Asraf Lufty had missed from the spot for the Maldives. Mohmmed Sujon kept his nerve to score the final penalty giving Bangladesh a 5-3 victory, and with it, their first SAFF Cup championship. Pakistan's Safraz Rasool was top goal scorer.