SAFF Cup new dates: May 1 to 12, 2018
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup has been rescheduled to May 1-12, 2018 in Bangladesh.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in December this year in Bangladesh but since India had stated that they cannot take part in December, it was rescheduled for next year.
Due to the postponement, the training schedules were disrupted in many South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka. To-date Sri Lanka has not even prepared a pool for the competition and is not in readiness for the event. This is Sri Lanka’s main regional tournament.
Earlier eight countries took part in the competition. For the next competition in 2018, Afghanistan has withdrawn. They have stated that they have no competition in SAFF and have decided to take part in South East Football tournaments.
The competition commenced in 1993. To-date India has emerged as champions in all competitions held to-date. The years being: 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011 and 2015.
Sri Lanka emerged champions in 1995 in the contest held in Colombo. Other than that the Maldives, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have emerged champions at least once. Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan has never won the championships.
According to FIFA World Rankings, India is in 96th position. Maldives are in 156th position. Bhutan is in 166th spot. Nepal is in 169th position. Bangladeshis in 192nd place and Sri Lanka is in 197th position. Pakistan is in the 200th slot.