Malé (Maldives), March 25 India will aim for a dominant performance when they take on their arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the SAFF U20 Championship here on Thursday.
India, who arrived here on Monday, are in the same group as Pakistan and Bangladesh. They will face Bangladesh on Saturday, and with only two group matches, a single victory could be decisive in securing a place in the semifinals.
Bangladesh defeated Pakistan 2-0 in their opening encounter, leaving Pakistan in a must-win situation to keep their knockout hopes alive. This means India will have to be cautious and avoid complacency against a determined opponent.
"India versus Pakistan is always a significant match, but for us, we are treating it like any other game. Every match is important for us. So, the focus is on starting the tournament well and making a positive beginning," said India U20 coach Mahesh Gawali.
"At the same time, we need to be cautious and play with composure and discipline," he added.
India enters the tournament as one of the favorites, having won the SAFF U20 Championship four times – in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
The championship also serves as preparation for the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.