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- SAFF Championship Dhaka Controversy | Indian Football Team Hotel Issue
sports desk 7 hours ago
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The Indian football team did not get hotel rooms in Dhaka for the South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. On Tuesday, the team was to stay in a private hotel located on Gulshan Avenue, but upon reaching there it was found that rooms had not been booked or allotted for them.
According to the report, the Indian team reached Dhaka at around 2:15 pm. Players could not get rooms till 5 pm. According to the report, arrangements have been made for the players in another hotel.
India is the defending champion, searching for 10th title
India is the current champion of this tournament. The team won the title by defeating Kuwait in the penalty shootout in the final held in Bengaluru in 2023. India has won this tournament 9 times so far.
SAFF is the football organization of the countries of South Asia. National teams of the region participate in its championship. This is the 15th edition in 2026, which will be played in Dhaka from November 5 to 17.
The 2023 SAFF Championship was won by India.
Sent a second team of 28 players, not the first team
All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a squad of 28 players for this tournament. However, India has not sent its main senior team. The command of the team has been given to Under-23 head coach Naushad Musa. Bibiano Fernandes will be the assistant coach.
A major reason for this is the Indian senior team’s tour of New Zealand. India has to play two international friendly matches against New Zealand on 12th and 15th November. These matches will be held in Auckland and Christchurch.
The second problem was to release players from domestic clubs. India’s first SAFF match is before the start of the FIFA international match window. During this time, some clubs of the Indian Super League (ISL) were not willing to release their players, because their domestic league is also going on.
Naushad Musa will be the head coach of the Indian team.
18 players arrived first, remaining 10 will join later
According to AIFF, 18 players reached Dhaka from Kolkata on November 3. The remaining 10 players are to join the team in the next few days.
First match with Pakistan, then clash with Maldives
India has been placed in Group B along with Pakistan and Maldives. Group A consists of hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Top-2 teams from each group will reach the semi-finals. After this the final will be played on 17th November. All the matches will be held at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
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