Sri Lanka is in Group B of the tournament alongside the Maldives, Afghanistan and Bhutan. Sri Lanka´s team coach Claudio Roberto claimed that his team is in a tough group of the tournament. However, he said that his side has improved a lot during the recent training in Thailand and vowed that his team would put up a good show during the tournament. "We have trained well. Our first match against the Maldives is very important for us. We need some rest and need to acclimatize," said Roberto.
Meanwhile, defending champion India arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon. Five-time champion India has been drawn in Group A of the tournament along with host Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. [break]
India captain Sunil Chhetri said his team faces pressure to defend the title and that it would respect all the opponents in the tournament as all are equal. "We want to defend the title and we are here for it. Every team in the group is strong while Nepal has the advantage of home ground," said Chhetri.
Teams of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan have already arrived in Kathmandu.
Pakistan held by Nepali youth team
Pakistan national team was held to a 1-1 draw by a Nepali youth team in a practice match on Tuesday at the Army Sports Complex in Lagankhel, Lalitpur. Nepal U-19 team played against Pakistan in the first half, while the Nepal U-16 team was fielded in the second half. Nepal U-19 player Asim Jung Karki scored in the first half that ended 1-1. The Nepali U-19 and U-16 teams are preparing for their respective Asian Championship Qualifiers.
Pakistan will take on arch-rival India in its first match of the SAFF Championship on Sunday.
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