Defending champions India were today handed a relatively easier draw for the South Asian Football Federation Championship which begins here from September 1.
India, the second highest ranked team at 146th, have been pooled in Group A alongside hosts and last edition semifinalists Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the biennial regional tournament.
Last edition runners-up and highest ranked team in the tournament, Afghanistan (140th), 2008 edition champions Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan form the Group B in the September 1-11 event.
India, who have not played an international match for a long time, escaped from being clubbed either with Afghanistan or Maldives, two strong sides in the tournament.
Afghanistan had drawn with India 1-1 at the group stage in the 2011 edition in New Delhi though they lost in the final. Maldives are the fourth highest-ranked team at 154th.
India will open their campaign against neighbours Pakistan on September 1. They will clash with Bangladesh and Nepal on September 3 and 5 respectively.
Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals to be played on September 8. The final is slated for September 11.
The winners of the tournament will get USD 50,000 while the runners-up with pocket USD 25,000. The two losing semifinalists will get USD 10,000 each.
The draw ceremony was conducted by Harish Krishnamachar, WSG senior Vice-President and Country head, and attended by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) President Ganesh Thapa and SAFF President Kazi Mohammed Salahuddin.
