Pakistan football team and India captain Sunil Chhetri
– Photo: Social Media
Expansion
Buoyed by the victory in the Intercontinental Cup, the Indian football team will enter the SAFF Championship 2023 as a strong contender. Eight-time champions India will face Pakistan in the first match at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The match is expected to go ahead as scheduled as the Pakistani players have got visas for India.
Pakistan team is not a big challenge for India but India’s goal is to start with a big win and send a strong message to other teams. India is the previous champion in this tournament having won the titles in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2021. Maldives won the title in 2008 and 2018 while Bangladesh won in 2003. Winning the SAF tournament will also fetch India some useful FIFA ranking points.