The Indian men’s football team will kick start its preparations for the next month’s SAFF Championships in the Maldives with the first of the two international friendly matches against Nepal in Kathmandu on Thursday.

The five-team SAFF Championships will be held from October 3 to October 13 at the National Stadium in Male.

“We are happy to be in Kathmandu and happy to be together again. These two international friendlies will help us prepare for the forthcoming SAFF Championship in the Maldives next month.

“I just know these games will be good and we need to learn on the pitch,” India’s head coach Igor Stimac said in a media release.

Captain Sunil Chhetri thanked the “ANFA (All Nepal Football Association) and the government of Nepal for the hospitality and the invitation to play in Kathmandu during these tough times.”

The second friendly against Nepal will be played on September 5. Both the matches will be held at the Dashrath Stadium.