India will be looking for their record seventh South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) title as they get set to participate in the 11th edition of the prestigious football tournament featuring South Asian nations.
Stephen Constantine's side are with Nepal and Sri Lanka in Group A, whereas Group B constitutes Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Pakistan were the fourth team in Group A, but they decided to pull out of the competition over supposed issues within the Pakistan Football Federation.
Afghanistan are the defending champions of the tournament, having defeated India in the 2013 final 2-0 in Nepal.
India host the SAFF Cup for the third time this year, and playing at home has really proven lucky for the national team. In 1999, the Blue Tigers defeated Bangladesh 2-0 at home, and in 2011, defeated Afghanistan 4-0 at home.
The list of probables for the Indian national team were announced earlier this month, and it features players who haven't played the Indian Super League or the I-League. Check the list HERE.
SAFF Cup 2015 schedule:
Date | Home team | Away team | Time | Venue | |
23 December | Nepal | v | Sri Lanka | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
24 December | Maldives | v | Bhutan | 3:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
24 December | Afghanistan | v | Bangladesh | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
25 December | Sri Lanka | v | India | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
26 December | Bangladesh | v | Maldives | 3:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
26 December | Bhutan | v | Afghanistan | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
27 December | India | v | Nepal | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
28 December | Bhutan | v | Bangladesh | 3:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
28 December | Afghanistan | v | Maldives | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
Two teams from each group qualify for the semi finals of the tournament.
Date | Home | Away team | Time | Venue | |
31 December | Winner (Group A) | v | Runner up (Group B) | 3:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
31 December | Winner (Group B) | v | Runner up (Group A) | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
3 January, 2016 (FINAL) | Winner (SF 1) | v | Winner (SF 2) | 6:30 pm IST | Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala |
TV listings: Star Sports 4/HD 4 (India), Kantipur TV (Nepal), Channel 9, Gazi TV (Bangladesh), Bhutan TV (Bhutan), Lemar TV, Tolo TV (Afghanistan), TVM (Maldives), Rupabahini (Sri lanka).