SAFF championship kicks off in Male today

Bernard PERERA

The Seventh South Asian Football Federation Championship gets under way today in Male, Maldives with a grand opening ceremony. Maldives hosts the Group A Matches at the National Stadium, Male.

The teams competing in Male are the defending champions India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Maldives.

The opening ceremony will be followed by the match between the title holders India and Nepal. Maldives meet Pakistan in the second game under lights at the same venue.

In group A India is the favourite to reach the top while the host country too is capable of taking the lead in this group. India will not find things that difficult when they confront Nepal today. Nepal have never won the title before though they have displayed top class soccer in the past.

On the other hand Nepal is expected to pose a big threat to the defending champs.

The second game too looks like a one sided affair as Pakistan has failed badly in the recent past, and Maldives will definitely overcome their first hurdle with ease.