The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The curtain rises on the 5th SAFF Championship today (Tuesday) at the Maldives capital of Male with defending champion India taking on Nepal in one of the opening day matches.

The match gets underway at 5pm (Bangladesh time).

In the day's another match, hosts Maldives will meet strong Pakistan at 9pm (Bangladesh time).

The eight-team SAFF Championship matches are arranged jointly by Maldives and Sri Lanka that will continue till June 14.

Bangladesh will begin SAFF campaign Wednesday taking on Bhutan. It will play emerging force Afghanistan on June 6 and hosts Sri Lanka on June 8 in the group encounters, all in Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.

Private satellite channel ATN Bangla is likely telecast live all three matches of Bangladesh as well as the semifinal and the final (in case Bangladesh qualifies).

Bangladesh have been placed in Group B of the SAFF Championship with Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka while Group A team comprises holders India, Pakistan, Maldives and Nepal.