The upcoming SAFF Cup will see both India, and Pakistan teams placed in the same group.This has shocked sports fans, who anxiously await the match between these great rivals.
In a highly anticipated announcement, it has been revealed that the teams of India and Pakistan will be facing off in the same group for the upcoming tournament. This news has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, as fans eagerly await the clash between these two fierce rivals. After a prolonged period of anticipation, both teams are poised to engage in a fierce competition.
The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been in a state of impasse for a considerable period of time. In the multinational tournament, both teams faced off against each other simultaneously. The ongoing controversy surrounding the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup has been making headlines as of late. Meanwhile, a big news has come out for both the countries.
The ongoing conflict between the cricket teams of India and Pakistan remains unresolved. However, amidst this tension, reports have surfaced of the football teams from both nations scheduled to face off against each other. In a highly anticipated event, the football teams of India and Pakistan are set to clash after a nearly five-year hiatus. India and Pakistan have been drawn in the same group.
In a noteworthy development, it has been revealed that the upcoming (South Asian Football Federation Championship) SAFF Cup, scheduled to take place in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 4, will see both countries’ teams placed in the same group. On Wednesday, the draw for the 14th edition of the South Asian Football Federation (SAF) Cup was held.
The draw resulted in Pakistan, Kuwait, and Nepal being placed in Group A alongside the defending champions, India. Meanwhile, Lebanon, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Bhutan were placed in Group B. The upcoming matches will follow a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The Kanteerava Stadium will host an upcoming eight-nation tournament.
On June 21, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match is set to take place.
To make the tournament more competitive, two countries from outside South Asia, Lebanon and Kuwait, have been invited to play in the competition. The tournament sees Lebanon as the highest-ranked team, currently holding the 99th position. Pakistan holds the lowest ranking, positioned at 195th place.
India has secured the second-best position in the latest rankings, with a ranking of 101. On the opening day of the tournament, June 21, the highly anticipated Group A match between India and Pakistan is set to take place. Following the inaugural match of the tournament between Kuwait and Nepal, the upcoming event will mark the second game of the day.
India and Pakistan last met in September 2018 during the 12th edition of the SAFF Cup in Dhaka. In a thrilling match, India emerged victorious with a score of 3-1. However, in the final, they suffered a defeat at the hands of Maldives with a score of 1-2. India and Pakistan have engaged in over 20 international matches, according to official records.
India has emerged victorious in over a dozen matches, showcasing their dominance. India has a remarkable record in the SAFF Cup, having clinched the title on eight occasions and finishing as the runner-up four times. India failed to reach the final only during the fifth season in 2003 in Dhaka. The team has clinched the third position.
Will the Pakistan team be granted visas?
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is optimistic about securing visas for Pakistani players and support staff to participate in the upcoming tournament. According to AIFF President Kalyan Choubey, Pakistan’s participation in the tournament has been confirmed, which is why their name has been included in the draw.
Every nation within the South Asia region possesses the rightful opportunity to participate in this tournament. The functions of a football federation of any country do not typically include issuing visas or providing security to a team. The AIFF administration has announced that they will be working alongside the appropriate government ministries to obtain a response in due course.
According to a statement made by AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran to PTI, the Pakistani contingent has initiated the visa application process to journey to India. According to Prabhakaran, there appears to be no issue at hand. The Pakistani contingent has initiated the visa application process.
Pakistan’s absence has been noted in two out of the 13 tournaments held since 1993. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) faced internal issues that prevented the team from participating in the 2015 tournament held in India. Similarly, the team was unable to compete in the 2021 tournament in Maldives due to a suspension from FIFA. Pakistan’s suspension, which was imposed by FIFA in June of last year, has been lifted.
