Indian team was a special one as they became the first ever Asian Games gold medalists and also the first ever Asian football champions. Though the next two tournaments proved less successful for the team, but they bounced back by winning the gold at the 1962 Asian games by defeating the Asian Cup winners South Korea in the final to win their second continental title. The team failed to defend their title in 1966 and went on to claim the bronze medal in 1970. This was the last time India ever finished on the medal podium, the next years proved to be hard for the Indian team to regain their dominance as the side went through a sharp decline. After two disappointing editions in 1974 and 1978, India performed much better in the 1982 Asiad, which they hosted for the second time by reaching the quarter-finals but lost to Saudi Arabia. Due to the poor performance in 1986 Asian Games the authorities decided not to send the team for the upcoming games. The team made their return in 1998. SAFF Championship India has played in all thirteen editions of the SAFF Championship and has been the most successful team in the competition winning an overall eight titles. The team played in the knockout stage of every tournament except in 1993 when the tournament was in a league format. The team also boasts a prestigious record of claiming medal at every championships played so far. India has played in the final of every championship except the 2003 tournament where they claimed bronze medal for the first time. India also boasts several records such as the team has scored the most goals, conceded least numbers of goals, registered the most wins, and had fewer defeats than any other team in the competition's history. AFC Challenge Cup India has participated in the AFC Challenge Cup four times. The tournament was originally created for countries categorized as emerging association, though India was invited to take part by AFC along with other developing association countries such as North Korea and Bangladesh. The team won the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup and qualified to the Asian Cup after 27 years. Honours These are the following major honours won by India that are officially organised and recognized by FIFA, AFC and SAFF. FIFA Summer Olympics Fourth place: 1956 AFC AFC Asian Cup Runners-up: 1964 Asian Games Gold medal: