Bangladesh, India in same group in two SAFF events

Bangladesh will play against defending champions India in the group stages of two SAFF age-level tournaments for boys which will be held in September in Nepal and Bhutan.

The draw ceremony of both events – SAFF U-16 Championship and SAFF U-19 Championship – were held at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka on Saturday.

Six teams from the seven SAFF members, barring Sri Lanka who are under a FIFA suspension, were divided into two groups through the draw. The U-16 championship pit Bangladesh, India and Nepal in Group A while Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan were pitted in Group B. The event will be held in Thimphu, Bhutan from September 1 to 10.

India are the defending champions of this tournament as they beat Nepal 4-0 in the final of the tournament which was last year held for under-17 age-group.

The SAFF U-19 Championship will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal from September 21 to 30, with defending champions India drawn alongside Bangladesh and Bhutan in Group B. Nepal, Maldives and Pakistan make up Group A.

India had beaten Bangladesh 5-2 after extra time in the final of the event, which was held for under-20 age-group, in August last year.

The draw ceremony was conducted by SAFF general secretary Anwarul Haque Helal and Bangladesh Football Federation's acting general secretary Imran Hossain.