Defending champion India will face Bangladesh in the opening match of SAFF Under-17 Championship.

Thimphu: Defending champions India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh in the opening match of Group A in the SAFF Under-17 Football Championship here on Friday. Maldives is the third team in the three-team Group A and India has to face them on September 24. Group B includes hosts Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals to be held on September 28, followed by the final on September 30. India are the champions in 2022, the last time the tournament was played in the under-17 age group. Last year’s phase was conducted for the Under-16 age group and India was also the winner.

Head coach Ishfaq Ahmed has retained 16 out of 23 players from the team that lifted the trophy at the same Changlimithang Stadium. A year ago, India had won 1-0 against Bangladesh in the opening match and the final was also against Bangladesh in which it was a 2-0 winner.

Ishfaq Ahmed said in the press conference before the tournament, ‘We are expecting a challenging match against Bangladesh. I want our players to be tested and we know that playing Bangladesh team will not be so easy. We are confident of a positive start. Hopefully everyone will enjoy good football in the match.