Shillong: India will face Maldives and Pakistan in Group B for the 2026 SAFF Championship. The draw took place Saturday in Thimphu, Bhutan. India opens the tournament against Maldives on November 5 and meets Pakistan on November 11. Defending the title, India hunts for a 10th championship win. The event runs from November 4 to 17 in Dhaka.
Group A features hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. Nepal remains in limbo. If FIFA lifts the suspension on the All Nepal Football Association by September 1, they join Group A. Otherwise, only six teams will compete. The top two squads from each group move to the November 14 semi-finals. The final happens on November 17.
India dominates the historic rivalry with Pakistan. The Blue Tigers hold 16 wins in 25 meetings, losing only twice. They crushed Pakistan 4-0 during the 2023 tournament. Coach Igor Stimac knows the stakes. "India have a splendid head-to-head record against both their group stage opponents," noted team officials regarding the upcoming clash.
In England, AFC Bournemouth finalized the transfer of Portugal defender Antonio Silva from Benfica. The 22-year-old moves to the Premier League with significant experience. He made 235 senior appearances for his former club. Silva holds 20 caps for Portugal and played in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Euros, and the UEFA Nations League.
Golfers Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok crashed out of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Both finished at 5-over 147. They missed the cut by a single stroke. Diksha carded a 78 after a promising opening 69. Aditi shot a 73 after her initial 74. The qualifying mark landed at 4-over.
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