Indian men’s football team was drawn in Group A along with Pakistan, Kuwait and Nepal for the SAFF Championship 2023 football tournament.
Lebanon, Maldives, Bhutan & Bangladesh are clubbed in Group B.
Lebanon and Kuwait are the two teams from outside the South Asian region, who are participating by dint of special invitation.
India are also the most successful team in the regional tournament, having won the title eight times (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2021).
The tournament is scheduled to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium from June 21 to July 4.
Lebanon (99) will be the highest-ranked team in the competition followed by India (101), Kuwait (143), Nepal (174), Pakistan (195), Maldives (154), Bhutan (185) and Bangladesh (192).
India will start their campaign on June 21 against Pakistan.
Schedule:
June 21:
Kuwait vs Nepal, 3.30 pm IST.
India vs Pakistan, 7.30 pm IST.
June 22:
Lebanon vs Bangladesh, 3.30 pm IST.
Maldives vs Bhutan, 7.30 pm IST.
June 24:
Pakistan vs Kuwait, 3.30 pm IST.
Nepal vs India, 7.30 pm IST.
June 25:
Bangladesh vs Maldives, 3.30 pm IST.
Bhutan vs Lebanon, 7.30 pm IST.
June 27:
Nepal vs Pakistan, 3.30 pm IST.
India vs Kuwait, 7.30 pm IST.
June 28:
Lebanon vs Maldives, 3.30 pm IST.
Bhutan vs Bangladesh, 7.30 pm IST.
Semi-finals:
July 1:
Group A Winner vs Group B Runners-up
Group B Winner vs Group A Runners-up
Final:
July 4:
Semi-final 1 Winners vs Semi-final 2 Winners
Picture Courtesy: Social Media
