India’s coach Naushad Moosa has identified Bangladesh as the strongest team in the upcoming SAFF Championship, acknowledging the hosts’ strength while expressing confidence that his side can reach the final despite arriving with a largely second-string squad.

Bangladesh are hoping to challenge for the regional title with players of overseas experience, including Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome. Among the six participating nations, Bangladesh are widely regarded as one of the strongest contenders.

Speaking after arriving in Dhaka on Tuesday, Moosa also described Bangladesh as the tournament’s strongest side. However, he made it clear that India, despite fielding a relatively inexperienced team, would be aiming for a record-extending 10th championship title.

India are scheduled to face Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament at 3:30pm on Thursday.

India’s senior national team will be occupied with two international friendly matches against New Zealand during the FIFA international window. Khalid Jamil will oversee the senior side, while Moosa will lead India’s B team at the SAFF Championship.

Most of India’s 28-member squad consists of Under-23 players. The ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season has also made it difficult for Moosa to secure all the players from their respective clubs ahead of the opening match.

Despite these challenges, the Indian coach said he expected his team to compete strongly and expressed hope of meeting Bangladesh in the final.

“From my perspective, Bangladesh are currently the strongest team in the tournament. I hope we face them in the final. We will not have some players available before the first match, which is a challenge. However, the squad I have is not bad. To be honest, we have a strong team,” Moosa said.

India’s Previous Success With a Young Squad

Bangladesh cannot afford to underestimate India despite the absence of several senior players.

India previously participated in the 2009 SAFF Championship in Dhaka with an Under-23 squad and went on to win the title. They defeated hosts Bangladesh 1-0 in the semi-final before overcoming the Maldives 3-1 in a penalty shootout in the final.

The result demonstrated that India have experience of winning the regional championship even without their leading senior players.

India Target Record 10th Title

India have a distinguished record in the SAFF Championship. Since winning their first title in 1993, they have lifted the trophy in 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023.

With nine championships already secured, India have arrived in Dhaka hoping to claim their 10th title. They won the most recent edition in 2023, defeating Kuwait in the final.

Although India have brought a second-string squad, they remain among the teams expected to challenge for the championship. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are viewed as one of their principal competitors.

If both teams win their respective two group-stage matches and progress through the semi-finals, they could meet in the final—a possibility Moosa has openly welcomed.

Bangladesh have also recorded encouraging results against India in recent encounters. On November 18 last year, Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 in an AFC Asian Cup qualifying match in Dhaka. Earlier, in March 2025, the two sides played out a goalless draw in India.