India and Pakistan are set to resume their soccer rivalry after practically 5 years as the 2 neighbouring international locations have been clubbed in the identical group within the SAFF Cup to be held in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 4. The draw of the 14th version of the South Asian Soccer Federation Cup was held right here on Wednesday with defending champions India, Pakistan, Kuwait and Nepal being clubbed in Group A. Lebanon, Maldives, Bangladesh and Bhutan are in Group B.
The group matches can be performed in a round-robin league format and the highest two groups in every group will qualify for the semifinals of the eight-nation regional match on the Kanteerava Stadium.
Lebanon and Kuwait — the 2 international locations outdoors of South Asia — had been invited to make the match extra aggressive. Lebanon are the best ranked aspect within the match at 99th whereas Pakistan are the bottom at 195th. India are the second highest ranked aspect at a hundred and first.
The Indo-Pak Group A match can be performed on June 21 within the second match of the opening day after Kuwait face Nepal within the inaugural sport.
India and Pakistan final performed towards one another in September 2018 within the semifinal of the twelfth version of the SAFF Cup in Dhaka. India received that match 3-1 however misplaced to Maldives 1-2 within the last.
General, India and Pakistan have formally performed greater than 20 worldwide matches. Of the 2, India have been the dominant aspect with greater than a dozen wins below their belt.
India have received the SAFF Cup eight occasions whereas ending runners-up 4 occasions. The one time India didn’t attain the ultimate was within the fifth version in 2003 in Dhaka when the nation completed third.
The All India Soccer Federation (AIFF) is hopeful that Pakistan gamers and help employees will get visas to participate within the match.
“Pakistan has confirmed its participation within the match, that’s the reason they’re right here within the draw. All of the international locations of the South Asian area have the correct to play in