Saff Championship: India begin quest for eighth title

Male, October 3

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Title favourites India begin their SAFF Championships campaign against a plucky Bangladesh on Monday.

Bangladesh have been tough customers for India, who have won the tournament seven times out of the 12 editions. India had needed a late equaliser in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers match against Bangladesh in Kolkata to draw 1-1. The Blue Tigers had, though, won the return leg 2-0.

“Bangladesh are a very difficult side. In the two matches we played against Bangladesh in the last few months, it has been very tough,” captain Sunil Chhetri said. “All the matches (of the tournament) will be tough. Despite a little bit of superiority we may have, every game will be like a war to fight. We have to fight to the last minute. We cannot play 90 per cent.”

India head coach Igor Stimac is taking the SAFF Championships as the last opportunity for the team to play international matches before the start of the third round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in February next year.

He has not minced words in declaring that India are the favourites to win the tournament, saying “we will justify ourselves”. “The first game is always the most difficult game. Bangladesh are a known opponent, but we respect them immensely. In fact, we respect each and every team playing out here, and they have an equal chance to win the tournament,” the coach said.

The five-team tournament began on Friday with Nepal and Bangladesh beating Maldives and Sri Lanka 1-0, respectively. — PTI

After win against UAE, women face Tunisia

Dubai: An easy win over lower-ranked United Arab Emirates marking their first victory of the year, the Indian women’s football side take on Tunisia in another friendly here on Monday. Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Sweety Devi and Anju Tamang scored for India on Saturday in the team’s first overseas friendly since Thomas Dennerby took charge. The friendlies are part of the team’s preparations for the AFC Asian Cup, to be hosted by India in January-February. PTI