Seven-time champions India take on Pakistan in a much-anticipated South Asian Football Federation Championship semi-final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka on Wednesday, September 12.
When is the match and how to watch it live online
The semi-final between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will start at 7 pm IST.
DSpot will provide live television coverage of the match in India. The live stream will be available on YuppTV, Jio TV and Airtel TV apps.
What to expect from the SAFF Championship semi-final
Regardless of the sport, India-Pakistan clashes have always generated a lot of buzz over the years.
The football rivalry is all set to resume after a five-year absence as the neighbours battle for a place in the final of SAFF Championship in Dhaka later today.
India are without their senior players in Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sandesh Jhingan, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
The young U-23 side, led by Subhasish Bose topped Group B with six points in two games after beating Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Despite topping the table, Stephen Constantine's India have been far from impressive, often struggling to keep possession.
India are overwhelming favourites to beat Pakistan, who are ranked more than 100 places below the Blue Tigers at 201. History also favours the former as Pakistan have four of the seven meetings between them at the regional tournament over the years.
Clash against Pakistan just another match: India's assistant coach
Nonetheless, assistant coach Venkatesh Shanmugam insists India are not going to take their opposition lightly in today's tie.
Notably, Pakistan, under newly-appointed coach José Antonio Nogueira have been quite impressive since they returned from three-year long suspension.
Pakistan played at the Asia Cup and have qualified for the semi-final of the SAFF Championship for the first time in 13 years.
They had scraped through to the semi-final on better goal difference after being tied on points (six each) with hosts Bangladesh.
"Reaching the last four after a gap of 13 years shows their character and how motivated they are. We respect them as our opponents and it's going to be a tough game for us," Venkatesh was quoted as saying by All India Football Federation's official website.
"We understand that there is a lot of madness around this fixture but we are considering this just as another match. We have to get the job done."
We'll fight till the end: Pakistan captain Hossain
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Saddam Hossain has insisted his team will fight tooth and nail to reach their first-ever final at the regional tournament.
"We'll fight till the end to make it possible this time. We have faced quite a few difficulties in the last 3 years but now, we are trying to bounce back," Hossain said.
India - Pakistan relation is what makes everyone push their limits states @Zesh_Rehman.#AsianDream #BackTheBlue #WeAreIndia pic.twitter.com/H9EIxXxR0A
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 11, 2018
Global TV guide
- Bangladesh: Channel 9, Gazi TV
- Maldives: MBC
