India win SAFF U-19 title in penalty shootout
Captain Singamayum Shami opened the scoring for the hosts in the second minute with a long-range free-kick that beat Bangladesh goalkeeper Md Ismail Hossain Mahin, giving India a dream start. Bangladesh, however, equalised in the 61st minute through Md Joy Ahamed, who slotted home amid a goalmouth scramble following a corner kick.
With no further goals scored, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Rohen Singh's miss early in the shootout gave Bangladesh a brief advantage, but the tide turned when their captain Nazmul Huda Faysal fired over the crossbar. Indian custodian Suraj Singh Aheibam then produced a vital save to deny Salahuddin Sahed, before Shami stepped up to convert the decisive penalty and seal the victory.
India had dominated the opening exchanges, maintaining early possession and momentum. Shami's second-minute strike, taken from over 30 yards out, curled past Mahin, who got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from finding the net. In the 16th minute, Omang Dodum nearly doubled the lead with a dazzling solo run, but Mahin kept Bangladesh in the contest with a fine save.
Bangladesh gradually asserted themselves, cutting off India's midfield supply and gaining traction through set-pieces. Their persistence paid off in the second half with the equaliser, India's first conceded goal of the tournament.
The final stages saw both sides battling hard but creating few clear chances, leading to the tense shootout.
With this win, defending champions India secured back-to-back SAFF U-19 titles. They had earlier topped Group B with dominant victories over Sri Lanka (8–0) and Nepal (4–0), and booked their place in the final with a 3–0 win against the Maldives in the semi-finals.
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