INDIA TO HOST 10TH EDITION OF THE SAFF CUP
Posted on: 02/Nov/2011 6:02:52 AM
Defending champions India will look to extend their dominance in the SAFF Cup when they host the 10th edition of the premier regional competition in New Delhi from December 2nd to 11th this year.
India have won the title a record five times after qualifying for the final on seven occasions, and despite being ranked lower than rivals Bangladesh and Nepal, will start as favourites when the majestic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium stages its first international football competition since the Commonwealth Games last year.
Indias Minister for Sports Mr. Ajay Maken has taken it upon himself to turn the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium into an energetic football hub and the All India Football Federation and the World Sport Group are grateful to the sports-loving Honourable Minister for his initiative.
Mr Praful Patel, President of the AIFF said, It is a great pleasure to host the SAFF Championship in New Delhi once again. This time the Championships will be held at the World class Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium which is now being developed as a football hub as part of the legacy plan of the Ministry of Sports, Government of India. This tournament held biennially is a very important event for all the SAFF countries. I wish all the participating countries the very best and hope to see a very competitive tournament.
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and India are the eight teams vying for top honours in the biennial competition being staged in India for only the second time. India hosted the fourth edition of the tournament in Margao in 1999 and won the cup.
According to the tournament format, the eight teams will be divided into two groups with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. India defeated Maldives 3-1 in the tie-breaker in the final of the previous edition held in Dhaka in 2009.
FIFA rankings of the eight competing teams: Bangladesh 141; Nepal 144; India 160; Maldives 162; Pakistan 173; Sri Lanka 177; Afghanistan 184; Bhutan 199.
