India get tough draw in SAFF football

The draw was made by the general secretaries of the South Asian Football Federation’s seven member associations in Kuala Lumpur on Monday together with SAFF president Ganesh Thapa.

The draw ceremony was jointly conducted by FIFA general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen and Dato’ Peter Velappan, the AFC general secretary.

Hosts and 1999 beaten finalists Bangladesh head Group B and will face Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan, who are making their first appearance in the championship.

The competition is to determine the top football nation of South Asia and has existed since 1997. The Indian team will be looking for a hat-trick of titles after claiming the trophy in 1997 and 1999.

The championship features the region’s seven footballing nations namely, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and newcomers, Bhutan.

The draw:

Group A: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Group B: Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan

The fixtures:

January 26, 2002: 16.30 - India vs Pakistan
January 27: 15.00 - Maldives vs Bhutan; 17.30 - Bangladesh vs Nepal
January 28: 16.00 India vs Sri Lanka
January 29: 15.00 - Nepal vs Bhutan; 17.30 - Bangladesh vs Maldives
January 30: 16.00 - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
January 31: 15.00 - Nepal vs Maldives; 17.30 - Bangladesh vs Bhutan
February 1: Rest Day
February 2: Rest Day
February 3: 15.00 - Winner of Pool A vs Runner-up of Pool B; 18.00 - Winner of Pool B vs Runner-up of Pool A
February 4: Rest Day
February 5: 14.30 - Third Place Play-off; 17.30 - Final.