The 8th SAFF Championship, the biggest South Asian football meet will begin from Friday (today) at Dhaka's Bangabandhu National Stadium with two matches in Group-B. Pakistan-Sri Lanka clash will be the first of the two, followed by clash between Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Bangladesh that emerged champion on their home territory in 2003, have been drafted in Group B along with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bhutan in eight-team fray while Group A comprises holders Maldives, last edition's runners-up India, Nepal and Afghanistan. All the 15 matches of the biennial event will be held at Bangabandhu from December 4-14, 2009, a spokesman of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said.
"I see no difference in eight participants as I have idea about the opponents. Besides, all of them will come here after being fully prepared and you have no alternative but to win all matches," said Pakistani coach George Kottan.
"Our selection was based on certain criteria among which discipline, physical fitness, tactical and technical ability, punctuality, past performance and international experience," said the PFF President. It may be noted that the SAFF Championship is organised to promote the development of football in South Asia.
SAFF CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS
4th December: Sri Lanka v Pakistan (2 PM), Bangladesh v Bhutan;
5th December: Maldives v Nepal (2 PM), India v Afghanistan;
6th December: Sri Lanka v Bhutan (2 PM), Bangladesh v Pakistan;
7th December: Maldives v Afghanistan (2 PM), India v Nepal;
8th December: Pakistan v Bhutan (2 PM), Bangladesh v Sri Lanka;
9th December: Afghanistan v Nepal (2 PM), Maldives v India;
11th December: Two semi-finals
14th December: Final
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