SAFF Championship 2023: Holders India to open campaign with Pakistan clash

BENGALURU: Just three days after winning the Intercontinental Cup, the Indian senior men's team will begin its campaign in the SAFF Championship 2023 against Pakistan in Group A at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Wednesday.

India are a dominant force in the SAFF Championship and the most successful team while Pakistan's best has been a third-place finish in 1997 and an appearance in the semifinals twice.

Despite this huge gap in their record in the competition, a sell-out crowd is expected to witness the battle between the arch-rivals.

The other two teams from Group A, Nepal and Kuwait will clash in the opening match of the tournament earlier on Wednesday. Group B, consisting of Lebanon, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan, is set to begin on Thursday.

Record eight-time champions India are out to defend the title they won in the Maldives in 2021 after beating Nepal 3-0 in the final. The SAFF Championship is being held in India for the fourth time, and they have won the trophy on each of the last three occasions as hosts (1999, 2011 and 2015).

With the inclusion of guest teams, Kuwait and Lebanon, the SAFF Championship is set to feature eight teams for the first time since 2013. IANS

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