Everything you need to know about SAFF U-20 Championship 2022

The competition returns after three years.

Originally played as an U-18 tournament, the SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 returns for its fourth edition for the first time since 2019. Defending champions India will host the five-team tournament from July 25 to August 3, 2022. The tournament will take place in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.

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Here’s all you need to know about the upcoming SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 in India.

About the tournament

It started as a U-19 competition. However, the tournament was later changed to SAFF U-18 Championship in 2017. This year it will be played as a U-20 Championship. The tournament kick-started in 2015 and the 2022 SAFF U-20 championship will be its fourth edition. A total of five teams are taking part in the Championship this year.

Nepal are the most successful nation, having won the tournament twice in four years. India lifted its first title in 2019 after defeating two times runners-up Bangladesh. 

The opening day, July 25, will witness Nepal play against Maldives followed by Sri Lanka’s clash against Bangladesh. Hosts India play their opener against Bangladesh on the following day. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format. The top two teams at the end of the group stage will then face each other in the finale on August 5. 

Players born on or after 1 January 2003 are eligible to compete in the tournament. Each team has to register a squad of a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 23 players with at least two goalkeepers.

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Teams

A total of five teams, namely — India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan and Bhutan have also previously taken part in the tournament, but are absent from this year's edition. India are the defending champions.

Venue

The 2022 edition of the SAFF U-20 championship will be played on the eastern shores of India. It will take place at the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar. 

SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 — Fixtures

Nepal 4-0 Maldives, July 25

Sri Lanka 0-1 Bangladesh, July 25, 8:00 pm

Bangladesh 1-2 India, July 27, 4:00 pm, Live Updates

Sri Lanka vs Nepal, July 27, 8:00 pm

India vs Sri Lanka, July 29, 4:00 pm

Maldives vs Bangladesh, July 29, 8:00 pm

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Maldives vs Sri Lanka, July 31, 4:00 pm

Nepal vs India, July 31, 7:00 pm

Bangladesh vs Nepal, August 2, 4:00 pm

India vs Maldives, August 2, 7:00 pm

Final (August 5)

Group Champion 1 vs Group Champion 2, 7:00 pm

Telecast 

The SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 will be live streamed on the Sportzworks YouTube channel and on the Eleven Sports platform.

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Squads

India

Goalkeepers: Syed Zahid Hussain Bukhari, Mohit Singh Dhami, Som Kumar.Defenders: Amandeep, Halen Nongtdu, Bikash Yumnam, Sajad Hussain Parray, Raj Basfore, Brijesh Giri, Tankadhar Bag, Pritam Meetei Sorokhaibam.Midfielders: Sibajit Singh Leimapokpam, Vibin Mohanan, Vinay Harji, Maheson Singh Tongbram, Sujit Singh, Harsh Sailesh Patre, Taison Singh Loitongbam, Macarton Louis Nickson.Forwards: Gurkirat Singh, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Himanshu Jangra, Shubho Paul.

Nepal

Goalkeepers: Ishwor Gurung, Unesh Chaudhary, Jiyarath SeikhDefenders: Amar Shrestha, Sonit Dahal, Aayush Shrestha, Ajay Chaudhary, Sumit Shrestha, Srijan Dhani, Roshan Thapa, Abhishek WaibaMidfielders: Dipesh Gurung, Aashish Rai, Sandeep Karki, Janmajay Dhami, Mohit Gurung, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Sugam Suwal, Managya Nakarmi, Aayush GhalanForwards: Rohit Subba, Niranjan Malla, Rohan Khadgi.

Bangladesh

Goalkeepers: Md Emon, Md Asif, Shanto Kumar RayDefenders: Tanvir Hossain (C), Md Imran Khan, Ashikur Rahman, Shahin Ahammad, Md Rajon Hawladar, Azizul Hoque Ananto, Sirajul Islam RanaMidfielders: Samuel Raksam, Sojol Tripura, Nazmul Huda Faysal, Akkas Ali, Mojibor Rahman Jony, Md Moinul Islam Moin (VC), Shahidul IslamForwards: Md Nahian, Md Mursed Ali, Md Rafiqul Islam, Sajed Hasan Jummon, Md Piyash Ahmmed Nova, Miraj Islam.

Sri Lanka

Theshan Thushmika (Captain), Mohamed Kalik (Vice Captain), Derick Fernando, Mohamed Shuaib, Samunu, Kaggodaarachchi, Nikshan Antony, Nimesh Thiwanka, Mohamed Shakeel, Muhammedhu Munsif, Nadeem Ahamed, Mohamed Ihsan, Mohamed Thilham, Firas Zeer, Mohamed Hafeel,Pathum Gimhan, Mohamed Rikaz, Shane Banuka, Madusha Sandeepa, Suthakar Renodkilaiman, Navod Lakshitha, Shahil Shiyan, Jerad Jerom, Jude Rojan

NOTE: More squad and other details will be added once announced.

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