Karachi: India faces Pakistan's football team on opening day of South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, first time it has hosted national team from its neighbour and arch adversary since 2014.

While cricket reigns supreme in both nations, football is still extremely popular as was clear from fans cheering arriving team buses at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in southern city of Bengaluru.

Security was tight with hundreds of police and security guards deployed ahead of 7:30pm (local time) kickoff, with M Satyanarayan, SAFF project head saying "Extra precautions" had been taken but that he was expecting "peaceful match."

As home team bus arrived, fans waved India flags and chanted name of skipper Sunil Chhetri. Pakistan's team arrived shortly after while some in crowd chanted "India".

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 21 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.