India to kick-off SAFF Cup campaign against Afghanistan

Four-time champions India will take on Afghanistan in their opening match of the SAFF Championships in Dhaka on December 5.

India play their second Group A match on December 7 against Nepal before taking on defending champions Maldives on December 9.

The eight-nation regional tournament begins on December 4 with a match between hosts Bangladesh and Bhutan. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the other two teams in Group B.

Both the semifinals are scheduled for December 11 while the final will be played on December 13.

All the 15 matches including the semifinals and final will be played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

India lost to co-hosts Maldives in the final last year. This year, India will send a team that will mainly consist Under-23 players along with a few seniors.

Fixtures

Dec 4: Sri Lanka v Pakistan; Bangladesh v Bhutan

Dec 5: Maldives v Nepal; India v Afghanistan

Dec 6: Sri Lanka v Bhutan; Bangladesh v Pakistan

Dec 7: Maldives v Afghanistan; India v Nepal

Dec 8: Pakistan v Bhutan; Bangladesh v Sri Lanka

Dec 9: Afghanistan v Nepal; Maldives v India

Dec 11: Semifinals

Dec 13: Final.