Ali Thameem
Bangladesh have reclaimed the SAFF U20 title, after defeating India 4-3 on penalties this evening.
The final game, played this evening inside Galolhu National Stadium in Male’, which was packed with Bangladeshi supporters across the bleachers.
The result was nil-nil at full-time after a goalless ninety minutes.
The result was the exact opposite of last year’s championship, which was hosted by India and featured U19 teams. The home side had triumphed 4-3 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw.
This was Bangladesh’s second title. They lifted the trophy for the first time in 2024, after defeating Nepal 4-1 in the final. India’s title defence ended but they remain the most successful team in the tournament’s history with four titles.
Organised by the South Asian Football Federation, this was the eighth edition of the age-group championship within the South Asia region.
Surrounded by a packed stadium of its own fans, Bangladesh found the confidence when they needed it the most. Goalkeeper Ismail Hossain Mahin saved the very first penalty of the shootout, denying India’s Rishikanta Laishram. While all four of Bangladeshi players managed to convert their penalties, India’s last straw was the final kick taken by Omang Dodum, which flew over the crossbar.
After having a clumsy start to the final, Bangladesh gradually settled into the game and began to threaten. Ronan Sullivan, who scored the winning penalty later in the match, came closest in the 18th minute but failed to test the Indian goalkeeper Suraj Aheibam.
A defensive lapse from Bangladeshi keeper Mahin in the 32nd minute briefly opened the door for India but Bangladesh’s defenders recovered in time to avert danger. India continued to apply pressure through set-pieces but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
The second half mirrored the first in intensity, with both teams pressing aggressively. India came agonisingly close in the 64th minute when Mahin misjudged a long throw from Roshan Thangjam, only for the loose ball to go astray in front of an open goal.
The final entered a tense, scrappy phase in the last 20 minutes as both teams pushed for a breakthrough but were repeatedly let down by fatigue and missed chances.
The two sides also crossed paths in the group stage this year. India were the winners of the three-team Group B, after a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh and a 3-0 win over Pakistan. India had cruised past Group A runner-ups Bhutan with a 5-0 victory in the semi-finals.
The champions Bangladesh had defeated Group A winners Nepal 1-0 in their semifinal confrontation.
