2024 SAFF Club Championship

Last updated

2024 SAFF Club Championship
Tournament details
DatesAugust 2024 [1]
Teams8 (from 7 associations)
2025 →

The 2024 SAFF Club Championship or the 2024 SCC will be the inaugural edition of the SAFF Club Championship, an annual international men's club football championship of South Asia organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Format

Initially, a centralized venue was planned for the tournament. Eventually, a home-and-away format over six or seven months was finalized as the AIFF expressed reservations over allotting two weeks during the regular Indian football calendar. [6] [7]

Association team allocation

A total of 8 teams from 7 SAFF member associations are set to participate in the 2024 SAFF Club Championship. The association ranking based on the FIFA World Ranking is used to determine the number of participating teams for each association. This will include two teams from India and one team from Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. [8] [9]

Participation for 2024 SAFF Club Championship
Participating
Not participating
SAFF RankMember associationSlots
1 Flag of India.svg India 2
2 Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh 1
3 Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives 1
4 Flag of Nepal.svg Nepal 1
5 Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka 1
6 Flag of Bhutan.svg Bhutan 1
7 Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan 1
TotalParticipating associations: 78

Qualification

Pakistan

In December 2023, it was announced by the PFF that the Pakistani spot in 2024 SAFF Club Championship would be decided through qualifiers. [10] [11] However, none of the clubs have yet confirmed their participation. [12]

Sri Lanka

Football Sri Lanka named Blue Star to represent Sri Lanka as the club were the champions of the sole Sri Lanka Super League held in 2021. [13]

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Blue Star (C, Q)9711219+1222Qualification for AFC Cup preliminary round 1 and 2024 SAFF Club Championship
2 Sea Hawks 96121611+519 [lower-alpha 1]
3 Colombo 96122211+1119 [lower-alpha 1]
4 Renown 9522107+317
5 Up Country Lions 9513178+916
6 Red Stars 92431816+210
7 Defenders 92431212010
8 New Young's 92161331−187
9 Ratnam 9036516−113
10 Blue Eagles 9027316−132
Source: RSSSF
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Sea Hawks 3, Colombo 0.

India

Two teams that finish the highest in the 2023–24 Indian Super League and have not qualified for 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two or 2024–25 AFC Challenge League will represent India. [14]

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Mohun Bagan SG (C)2215344726+2148 Knockouts and AFC Champions League Two group stage
2 Mumbai City (W)2214534219+2347 Knockouts and SAFF Club Championship
3 Goa 2213633921+1845
4 Odisha 2211653523+1239 Knockouts
5 Kerala Blasters 2210393231+133
6 Chennaiyin 2283112636−1027
7 NorthEast United 226882832−426
8 Punjab 2266102835−724 [lower-alpha 1]
9 East Bengal 2266102729−224 [lower-alpha 1] AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage [lower-alpha 2]
10 Bengaluru 2257102034−1422
11 Jamshedpur 2256112732−521
12 Hyderabad 2215161043−338
Source: Indian Super League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored; 7) fair play ranking
(C) League Shield Champions; (W) ISL Cup winners
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Punjab 4, East Bengal 1.
  2. ↑ East Bengal qualified for the AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage by winning the 2024 Super Cup. [15]

Bangladesh

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Bashundhara Kings (C, Q)1814314913+3645Qualification for the AFC Challenge League group stage
2 Mohammedan SC 189814017+2335Qualification for the SAFF Club Championship
3 Abahani Ltd. Dhaka 189543422+1232
4 Bangladesh Police FC 187562319+426
5 Fortis FC 186662123−224
6 Sheikh Russel KC 184772125−419
7 Chittagong Abahani 184772330−719
8 Sheikh Jamal DC 184591424−1017
9 Rahmatganj MFS 1821061926−716
10 Brothers Union (R)1814132166−457Relegation to Championship League
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
(C) Champion; (Q) Qualify for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated

Maldives

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Maziya (C)141310564+5240Qualification for 2024–25 AFC Challenge League group stage
2 Eagles 1411215717+4035Qualification for the SAFF Club Championship
3 Super United 1410043521+1430
4 TC Sports 147162124−322
5 Buru 146081826−818
6 United Victory 1440101549−3412
7 Green Streets (W)141211843−355Withdrew after round 10
8 Valencia (W)140212430−262Withdrew after round 9
Source: Dhivehi Premier League 2023
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored.
(C) Champions; (W) Withdrew

Teams and locations

The following teams will participate in the tournament: [16]

South Asia non political, with rivers.jpg
Red pog.svg
Goa
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
class=notpageimage|
Location of the 2024 SAFF Club Championship clubs
TeamQualification method
Flag of India.svg Mumbai City 2023–24 Indian Super League runners-up
Flag of India.svg Goa 2023–24 Indian Super League third place
Flag of Maldives.svg Eagles 2023 Dhivehi Premier League runners-up
Flag of Nepal.svg Machhindra 2023 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League runners-up
Flag of Bangladesh.svg Mohammedan 2023–24 Bangladesh Premier League runners-up
Flag of Bhutan.svg Paro 2023 Bhutan Premier League champions
Flag of Pakistan.svg TBA
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Blue Star 2021 Sri Lanka Super League champions

Bracket

The matches will be played in home and away knockout format. [17]

Brackets

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Quarter-finals

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg

Semi-finals

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg

Final

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afghanistan national football team</span> National football team of Afghanistan

The Afghanistan national football team is the national football team of Afghanistan and is controlled by the Afghanistan Football Federation. Founded in 1922, they played their first international game against Iran in Kabul, 1941. Afghanistan then joined FIFA in 1948 and the AFC in 1954, as one of the founding members. They play their home games at the Ghazi National Olympic Stadium in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. In 2013, Afghanistan won the 2013 SAFF Championship and earned the "FIFA Fair Play Award". Afghanistan has never qualified for the AFC Asian Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives national football team</span> Mens association football team representing Maldives

The Maldives national football team represents the Maldives in international football and is controlled by the Football Association of Maldives. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka national football team</span> Mens national association football team representing Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka national football team represents Sri Lanka in Association football and is administered by Football Federation of Sri Lanka, the governing body of football in Sri Lanka. They have been a member of FIFA since 1952 and a member of AFC since 1954. Sri Lanka's home stadium is the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Sri Lankan team was known as the Ceylon national football team until 1972 when Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan national football team</span> Mens association football team representing Pakistan

The Pakistan national football team represents Pakistan in men's international football in FIFA-authorized events and is controlled by the Pakistan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Pakistan. Pakistan became a member of FIFA in 1948 joining the Asian Football Confederation and its national team debuted in 1950.

Muhammad Essa Khan is a Pakistani football manager and former footballer who played as a forward. He is the current head coach of Khan Research Laboratories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Asian Football Federation</span> Football association

South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) is an association of the football playing nations in South Asia which is a regional subsidiary of Asian Football Confederation, incorporated in 1997. The members of the association are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangladesh women's national football team</span> Womens association football team representing Bangladesh

The Bangladesh women's national football team is the women's national association football team of Bangladesh controlled by the Bangladesh Football Federation under the supervision of the women's football committee. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and has yet to qualify for the World Cup or an AFC Women's Asian Cup finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan women's national football team</span> Womens national football team representing Pakistan

The Pakistan women's national football team is the female representative in international women's football for Pakistan. The team was formed in 2010 and has not yet qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup or the FIFA Women's World Cup, but has competed in four editions of the biennial SAFF Women's Championship.

The Bhutan women's national football team represents Bhutan in international women's football. The team is controlled by the governing body for football in Bhutan, the Bhutan Football Federation, which is currently a member of the Asian Football Federation and the regional body the South Asian Football Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India women's national under-20 football team</span> Womens under-20 national association football team representing India

The India women's national under-20 football team represents India in international women's under-20 football in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. It is controlled by the AIFF. They also participated in the 2021–22 Indian Women's League season, as Indian Arrows Women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bala Devi</span> Indian footballer

Ngangom Bala Devi is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the club Manipur Police and the India national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Topu Barman</span> Bangladeshi footballer

Topu Barman is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Bangladesh Premier League club Bashundhara Kings and the Bangladesh national team.

Lallianzuala Chhangte is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a winger for the Indian Super League club Mumbai City FC and the India national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 SAFF U-18 Championship</span> International football competition

The 2017 SAFF U-18 Championship was the 2nd edition of the SAFF U-18 Championship, an international football competition for men's under-18 national teams organized by SAFF. But since most teams use to send their U-18 team keeping in mind 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification it has been officially changed to U-18 tournament. The tournament was hosted by Bhutan 18–27 September 2017.

Grace Dangmei is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Indian Women's League side Gokulam Kerala and the India women's national team. She was part of the team at the 2014 Asian Games and at the 2016 South Asian Games where she scored two goals against Sri Lanka. During the 2016 SAFF Women's Championship, she scored a goal in the first half of the final, helping India clinch its fourth consecutive title at the tournament.

The 2018–19 season is the 131st competitive association football season in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 SAFF U-18 Women's Championship</span> International football competition

The 2018 SAFF U-18 Women's Championship was the first edition of the SAFF U-18 Women's Championship, an international football competition for women's under-18 national teams organized by SAFF. The tournament was hosted from 28 September – 7 October 2018 at Changlimithang Stadium. Six teams from the region took part.

The 2019 SAFF U-15 Championship was the 6th edition of the SAFF U-15 Championship, an international football competition for men's under-15 national teams organized by South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The tournament was hosted by India at Kalyani Stadium from August 21 to August 31, 2019. Five teams from the region were took part in the tournament.

The 2022 SAFF U-20 Championship was the 4th edition of the SAFF U-20 Championship, an international football competition for men's under-18 national teams organized by South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). India was the hosts of the tournament, held between 25 July and 5 August 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 SAFF Women's Championship</span> International football competition

The 2022 SAFF Women's Championship was the 6th edition of the SAFF Women's Championship, the international women's football championship contested by the national teams of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The tournament was played from 6–19 September 2022 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

References

  1. ↑ "SAFF Club Championship to comprise two teams from India". Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "SAFF announces start of club championship from next year". www.dawn.com. 6 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "First-ever SAFF Club C'ship likely next year". www.newagebd.net. 6 May 2023. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "SAFF Club C'ship from next year". www.thedailystar.net. 6 May 2023. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "সাফ ক্লাব চ্যাম্পিয়নশিপ হতে পারে আগামী বছর থেকে". www.prothomalo.com (in Bengali). 6 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. ↑ "SAFF mulls home and away system for its inaugural club championship". www.news9live.com. 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "SAFF announces start of club championship from next year". www.dawn.com. 7 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "SAFF Club Championship to comprise two teams from India". Khel Now. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  9. ↑ "Two spots for India in the inaugural SAFF Club Championship". thebridge.in. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  10. ↑ "The deserving clubs that have consistently showcased their prowess in both instances are i. Afghan Football Club ii. Muslim Football Club iii. Baloch Noshki Football Club". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  11. ↑ "Pakistani Football Club to Play SAFF Championship". propakistani.pk.
  12. ↑ "Pakistan clubs show no interest in participation at SAFF Club Championship". geosuper.tv. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  13. ↑ "Kalutara Blue Star to vie at SAFF Club Tourney - Sports | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  14. ↑ "SAFF Club Championship to comprise two teams from India". Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Bhattacharya, Nilesh (29 January 2024). "Cleiton delivers as East Bengal end title drought in Super way". The Times of India . Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  16. ↑ Lakhani, Faizan. "Pakistani club to participate in SAFF's inaugural club championship". Geo Super. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "@MarcusMargulhao: SAFF Club Championship will have eight teams, including two from India, the highest-ranked member association". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.