U-16 SAFF Cup: India to face hosts Nepal in semifinals

The first-ever edition of the Under-16 boys South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF Cup) is currently being held from August 1 to 10 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The matches are being played at Kathmandu's Dasrath Stadium and the group stages finished today.

India now take on hosts Nepal, while Pakistan play Bangladesh in the semifinals on August 8 for a place in the finals to be played on August 10.

India only finished second in their Group A after a 0-1 upset against Pakistan, while returning to winning ways with a 5-0 win against the Maldives yesterday. In Group B Nepal and Bangladesh both finished on four points as they both beat Sri Lanka, but drew goalless against each other. Nepal won the group by having the better goal difference against Sri Lanka as both sides scored six goals, but Bangladesh conceded two late goals.

India U-16 coach Thomas Joseph said, "They (Nepal) are a very good side and the results speaks for them. However, our boys are up for the task. We take one match at a time and our sole aim now is to win the semifinal."

Thomas Joseph further added, "It's equally important for everyone to understand their role as so far they have done a great job. We find difficulty in picking up the starting XI as almost all of them are equally talented."


FIXTURES & RESULTS

GROUP A
August 1: INDIA U16 0-1 Pakistan U16
August 3: Maldives U16 0-6 Pakistan U16
August 5: INDIA U16 5-0 Maldives U16

GROUP B
August 2: Sri Lanka U16 2-6 Bangladesh U16
August 4: Nepal U16 0-0 Bangladesh U16
August 6: Sri Lanka U16 0-6 Nepal U16

SEMIFINALS
August 8: Pakistan U16 - Bangladesh U16
August 8: Nepal U16 - India U16

FINAL PLACEMENT MATCHES
August 9: Maldives U16 - Sri Lanka U16
August 10: Loser of Semifinal 1 vs Loser of Semifinal 2
August 10: Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2