Bangladesh and India were placed in the same group in the Saff U-18 Championship 2017 while the junior Tigers were drawn in a comparatively easier group in next month’s Saff U-15 Championship as the draw of the two tournaments took place in Dhaka on Monday.
Reigning champion of the last Saff U-16 Championship, Bangladesh were pitted alongside Bhutan and Sri Lanka in Group A of Saff U-15 Championship, which will be held in Nepal from August 18-27. Group B meanwhile, comprises India, Nepal and Maldives.
The Saff U-18 Championship will be held in Bhutan only a month later, from September 18-27, where Bangladesh will have India and Bhutan as Group A opponents while Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka make up Group B. Bhutan capital Thimphu’s Changlimithang Stadium will host all the matches.
The draw ceremonies were held at BFF House on Monday. Saff general secretary Anwarul Huq Helal and BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag were present on the occasion. The U-15 draw was held first, followed by the U-18.
India were drawn alongside Bangladesh in the Saff U-18 Championship 2017
BFFSaff’s oldest members Afghanistan and Pakistan will not take part in the tournaments owing to different reasons. Afghanistan are no longer a Saff member while regarding Pakistan’s absence, Helal said, “As per as I know, all activities of Pakistan football federation are currently suspended by the court. Until and unless it is solved, they can't participate.
“Last time, there were U-16 and U-19 Championships. But the AFC recommended to change the formats of both the tournaments to U-15 and U-18 so that they can be dubbed as the preparation for the AFC U-16 and U-19 events next year. The players will be eligible to play in the continental tournaments.”
Bangladesh defeated India in the final to become champion in the last Saff U-16 Championship, which was held in Sylhet in 2015, while Nepal beat India in the Saff U-19 Championship, hosted by in Kathmandu in the same year.
GroupingsSaff U-15 Championship, Nepal, August 18-27Group A - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka
Group B - India, Nepal, Maldives
Saff U-18 Championship, Bhutan, September 18-27Group A - India, Bangladesh, Bhutan
Group B - Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka
Bangladesh's Saff U-18 Championship FixtureSeptember 20, Bhutan v Bangladesh, 5:00pm, Changlimithang Stadium
September 22, Bangladesh v India, 5:00pm, Changlimithang Stadium
Bangladesh's Saff U-15 Championship FixtureAugust 18, Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, 3:20pm, ANFA Complex
August 22, Bhutan v Bangladesh, 3:20pm, ANFA Complex
* Bangladesh standard time