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The Indian football team have had a difficult start to their SAFF Championship 2021 campaign as they remain winless after the first two matches. The Blue Tigers find themselves at the fourth position in the table with just two points from an equal number of games.
Maldives picked up a win against Bangladesh on Thursday night and they have leapfrogged India to third place. Meanwhile, we have a surprising leader at the top in Nepal, followed by a second-placed Bangladesh. Let us have a look at the table for further clarity.
2021 SAFF Championship table:
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Nepal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| 2 | Maldives | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| 4 | India | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
What are the rules that determine the standings?
- Most number of points obtained in the league matches.
However, if two or more teams are equal on points, then their place shall be determined as follows:
Editors’ Picks
2. Which team has got more points in the head-to-head clashes.
3. Which team has a better goal difference in the head-to-head clashes.
4. Which team has scored more goals in the head-to-head clashes.
5. The overall goal difference.
6. The greater number of goals scored in league matches.
7. Kicks from the penalty spot if only two teams are involved and they are both on the field of play.
8. Drawing of lots.
How can India qualify for the finals?
Scenario1: India wins their next two matches – Even after drawing the first two games, Igor Stimac’s men firmly have their fortunes in their own hands. If they win the next two games, they will finish with eight points and will qualify for the final regardless of other results.
Scenario 2: India win against Nepal but draws against Maldives – In this scenario, India will finish on six points from four matches. It will be impossible for India to qualify as even if Bangladesh and Nepal share points, the Gorkhalis will move to seven. In that case, Maldives and Nepal qualify with both teams tied on seven points.
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
| 1 | Nepal | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 2 | Maldives | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 3 | India | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Scenario 3: If India wins against Maldives and draws against Nepal – Even in this situation, India will finish on six points. But for the Blue Tigers to qualify, Bangladesh must not win against Nepal.
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
| 1 | Nepal | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | India | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Maldives | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Scenario 4: India draws against Nepal and Maldives – If India fails to win both their matches then they can have a maximum of four points. It will not be enough to qualify for the finals.
Scenario 5: India loses any of the next two matches – If India loses any of the remaining two matches, then also they cannot qualify for the final. So in order to go through without complicating matters, the best way is to win the remaining two matches against Nepal and Maldives respectively and challenge for the eighth title.
