SAFF Championship to begin on June 21, Nepal facing Kuwait in inaugural match

KATHMANDU: The 14th Men’s SAFF Championship football championship, which will be hosted in India, will begin with a match between Nepal and Kuwait.

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) published the championship schedule on Wednesday. According to the schedule, Nepal and Kuwait will face off in the first encounter.

The first match between Nepal and Kuwait will take place on Ashar 6 (June 21) at 4:00 PM Nepali time.

Nepal will play host India in the second match on Ashar 9 (June 24). They will face Pakistan in the third and final group stage match on Ashar 12 (June 27). Nepal was placed in Group ‘A’ in the group division on Wednesday.

Former winners Nepal’s group includes India, Kuwait, and Pakistan. Lebanon, the Maldives, Bhutan, and Bangladesh are in Group B.

The SAFF Championship will be contested in Bangalore from Ashar 6 (June 21) through Ashar 18 (July 3).

Along with Nepal, hosts India, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Lebanon, Bhutan, Pakistan, and the Maldives will compete in this edition of the competition.

Due to a FIFA suspension, Sri Lanka will not compete in this edition. Kuwait and Lebanon, on the other hand, will be invited teams.

Previously, the 14th edition of SAFF was slated to be hosted in Bangladesh. However, because Bangladesh is unable to host the tournament, it will be conducted in India.

Nepal came second at the 13th SAFF Championship, which was held in the Maldives.

Nepal was defeated 3-0 by India in the title match.