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SAFF U19 Championship 2025: India defeat Bangladesh in nail-biting penalties in front of packed Arunachal Pradesh stadium

SAFF U19 Championship 2025: India defeat Bangladesh in nail-biting penalties in front of packed Arunachal Pradesh stadium

Time of India18-05-2025
The SAFF U-19 Championship 2025 final saw India face Bangladesh on Sunday, May 18, at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh. Coming in as strong favourites, the Blue Colts did not disappoint the jam-packed stadium, which had been cheering them on throughout the tournament.
🏆🏆🏆 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙈𝙋𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 🏆🏆🏆#BANIND #BlueColts #U19SAFF2025 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/fA51vABIB6
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with India making an early breakthrough in the second minute. However, Bangladesh responded with determination, equalizing shortly after the hour mark. Both sides maintained relentless intensity, keeping the contest tightly contested throughout.
The game entered the penalty shootout and the battle stayed neck-and-neck, but India held their nerve to edge past Bangladesh 4-3 and lift the 2025 U-19 SAFF Men's Championship trophy.
𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 ⚡⚡⚡#BANIND #BlueColts #U19SAFF2025 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/LFvl0DCu33
This became India's record-extending 10th SAFF age-group title. The Blue Colts have now defeated Bangladesh in all four SAFF finals they've met in, including last year's U-17 championship clash.
India and Bangladesh road to Final
India reached the final with dominant performances, defeating Sri Lanka (8-0), Nepal (4-0), and Maldives (3-0) in the semifinal. Bangladesh, unbeaten until the final, faced their first loss of the tournament against the hosts after earlier drawing with Maldives and securing wins over Bhutan and Nepal.
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