SAFF U-20 fixture revised

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 13: The fixtures for the SAFF U-20 Men’s Championship have been revised after Pakistan withdrew from the tournament. The withdrawal has led the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to minus two days of the championship as well.

Earlier slated for August 16 to 28, the championship will now be played from August 18 to 28 at Dasharath Rangasala. Previously, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh made one group and India, Bhutan and the Maldives made the other. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s withdrawal has led the SAFF to revise the fixtures for the remaining six teams.

As revealed by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), two groups of three teams each have been confirmed and the fixtures against Pakistan have been removed.

Now, in Group A, Nepal is facing Sri Lanka in the championship opener on August 18 and Bangladesh on August 22. Similarly, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play on August 20. 

In the prior fixture, Nepal would have faced Pakistan on August 19.

Likewise, after the revised fixture, in Group B, India is facing its opponents Bhutan and the Maldives on August 19 and 23 respectively. The Maldives and Bhutan will play on August 21.

After the conclusion of group matches, winners of Groups A and B will face the runners-up of the opposite groups in the semi-finals respectively. Group A’s winner will play on August 25 and Group B’s winner on August 26. The final will be played on August 28.

Pakistan lacked fund

The decision of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to not send its young boys to Nepal for the SAFF U20 Championship has sparked dissatisfaction among football fans in Pakistan. It is because the recent withdrawal was not a first of its kind.

As reported by multiple Pakistani media, the PFF decided to not play in the Championship due to a lack of funds.

Geo News, a Pakistani news channel, quoting an anonymous source from the PFF stated, “The PFF had written to FIFA in May for funds to participate in three events - the SAFF U17, the SAFF U20, and the SAFF Women's Championship. However, FIFA did not respond. If funds are not provided, it will be difficult to participate in the SAFF Under-17 and Women's Championships as well.”