In the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-20 Championship,  India’s men’s team will begin their campaign with a high-voltage clash against Pakistan in Malé today. Placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and Bangladesh, India face a tight schedule in the three-team group, where every point is crucial. They will take on Bangladesh in their second match on Saturday.

With only two group matches, even a single win could be enough to secure a place in the semi-finals. The stakes have risen further after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan 2-nil in the opening Group B match. Pakistan now must win to keep their knockout hopes alive.

On this occasion, India Under-20 coach Mahesh Gawali has emphasised the importance of starting the tournament on a positive note. The championship also serves as preparation for the upcoming AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers.