SAFF Championship 2023: India-Pakistan set to renew football rivalry in Bengaluru

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The heated rivalry is all set to resume on Wednesday (June 21) as India and Pakistan will clash in the SAFF Championship 2023 at near sold-out Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru that has maximum capacity of 25,000.

The Kanteerava Stadium, dubbed the Fortress, is home to Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC, but is set to host the national team for the first time since October 2017, when the Blue Tigers beat Macau 4-1 to seal a spot in 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

While this is India's first match in Bengaluru in nearly six years, this will be the first outing for Pakistan on Indian soil since 2014, when they drew a two-match series. The two rivals, however, last clashed in 2018, when India won 3-1 in the SAFF Championship.

After much speculation of the match happening, the day has finally arrived and the game is on as per schedule. Uncertainty had shrouded the arrival of Pakistan team from Mauritius after the delay in processing their visa.

But on Monday (June 19) night the Indian Embassy cleared all the pending applications, paving way for the smooth travel of Pakistan squad to India for the tournament. However, part of the squad is set to arrive only six hours before the kickoff.

The two nations rarely play home matches against each other in any sport due to the long-running political tensions. But that is set to end tonight as Pakistan touchdown in India, giving hopes for the same in October-November for Cricket ODI World Cup.

Now, back to the football field, India, ranked 101st, are fresh from Hero Intercontinental Cup win, while their neigbours Pakistan, ranked 195th, are heading into the match on the back of a defeat to Djibouti, that increased their losing streak to five.

Record eight-time champions India are out to defend the title they won in the Maldives in 2021. The SAFF Championship is being held in India for the fourth time, and they have won the trophy on each of the last three occasions as hosts (1999, 2011 and 2015).

On paper, India are favourties to beat Pakistan, who have won only once in their last 10 matches. Sunil Chhetri and Co will be cheered on by a near full capacity stadium in Bengaluru as authorities have revealed over 10,000 tickets had already been sold.

India vs Pakistan Head To Head in Football

The two rivals have clashed 24 times so far, including eight times in the SAFF Championship. And it is India that has a huge advantage, having won 11 previous meetings against Pakistan, who have beaten their arch rivals just 3 times and 10 matches have ended in a draw.

India and Pakistan first clashed in football way back in 1959 and most recently in 2018. Here is a look at the INDvsPAK head-to-head results from 1959 to 2018:

Where and how to watch India vs Pakistan football match?

The match kicks off at 7:30 PM IST on Wednesday (June 21) and will be available via live streaming on the Fancode app or website for a match pass that will cost Rs 15 or one can opt for the tour pass that will cost just Rs 49 to watch all the SAFF Championship matches.

India Squad For SAFF Championship 2023

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh

Defenders: Subhasish Bose, Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra, Mehtab Singh, and Rahul Bheke.

Midfielders: Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Rohit Kumar, Udanta Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Jeakson Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Lalengmawia Ralte, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rowllin Borges and Nandha Kumar.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Rahim Ali

Head Coach: Igor Stimac