(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
SAFF U-17 Championship 2025: Pakistan Drawn in Group B With India, Maldives & Bhutan
The stage is set for the SAFF U-17 Championship 2025, with the official schedule now revealed. Pakistan’s U-17 football team faces a challenging road ahead as they have been placed in Group B, alongside defending champions India, the Maldives, and Bhutan.
📍 Tournament Details
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🗓 Dates: September 15 to 27, 2025
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🏟 Venue: Racecourse International Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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🏆 Format: Top 2 teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals (September 25), with the final scheduled for September 27.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Group B Fixtures
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 16 | Pakistan vs Bhutan | Group B |
| Sept 19 | Maldives vs Pakistan | Group B |
| Sept 22 | India vs Pakistan | Group B |
Each match is crucial, with semi-final qualification at stake.
🏁 Group Composition
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Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
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Group B: India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan
🔍 A Crucial Test for Pakistan’s Youth Football
The tournament marks a key milestone for Pakistan’s football development, especially under the new leadership of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). After years of limited international exposure, the Green Shirts will be looking to make a strong impression.
Their opening match against Bhutan could set the tone for the entire campaign. A win there and against the Maldives could provide a clear path to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated clash with India on September 22 could prove decisive for both progression and regional pride.
🌟 What’s at Stake?
For Pakistan, this championship is not just about silverware — it’s about rebuilding the national football identity from the ground up. A strong showing in Sri Lanka could inspire confidence and renewed investment in youth football at home.
With fierce rivalries and high-stakes matches on the horizon, the SAFF U-17 Championship 2025 promises thrilling action and a showcase of the next generation of South Asian football stars.
