Latest news with #SAFFU19Championship
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Bibiano Fernandes dedicates SAFF U19 victory to Arunachal fans
Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) [India] May 20 (ANI): After two months of toil, it all boiled down to the penalty shootout. However, the calm demeanour with which the India U19 men's national team conducted themselves during the most nerve-wracking moment of the SAFF U19 Championship final against Bangladesh brought out the character that the boys have, according to the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Head coach Bibiano Fernandes was all praised for his boys after they were crowned the SAFF U19 champions at the Golden Jubilee Stadium on Sunday, May 18, 2025. 'We knew it would not be an easy final by any stretch of imagination,' said Fernandes at the post-match press conference. 'Bangladesh showed their mettle as well, coming back from a goal down. But our boys exhibited tremendous character to keep fighting for the 90 minutes and beyond,' Bibiano Fernandes said 'We must also appreciate how Bangladesh fought back. I think they showed how good a side they are. It was an entertaining game, and at the end, we're happy that we came out as champions,' said Fernandes, who claimed his fourth junior SAFF title on Sunday night.' While the final boiled down to a nail-biting penalty shootout, Fernandes was quietly confident in the Blue Colts' abilities. 'I was always positive for the penalties because I have full faith in my players. I knew that our goalkeeper Suraj (Singh Aheibam) is good at saving penalties. He's been amazing at the training sessions, when we practiced spot-kicks. We knew he would make us proud,' said Fernandes. 'The job for the rest of the boys was to put the ball in the net.' While the India U19S showed quiet confidence in tense situations, their 48-year-old coach attributed much of the mentality to the support from the stands. 'Arunachal Pradesh was amazing for us. I've never seen so many fans turn up for a junior game anywhere in India. We will certainly remember this for the rest of our lives,' he said. 'The crowd was amazing, and the boys enjoyed playing in front of them.' 'I would like to dedicate this victory to the fans in Arunachal Pradesh, they were truly amazing. They pushed us and supported us all the way. They made us play the way we did. I'm sure this will motivate more youngsters to dream of playing for the national team one day, and we will have more players like Omang (Dodum) come through,' he said. The Blue Colts will now regroup and begin their preparations for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, to be held next year. 'India has ample talent. If we do good development, we will one day see India qualify for the World Cup, that remains the dream, as always,' said Fernandes. (ANI)
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
India crowned SAFF U19 champions
Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], May 19 (ANI): It was a final that had everything, early drama, missed chances, a fierce fightback, and a heart-stopping finish. Eventually, the India U19s showed nerves of steel to outlast Bangladesh 4-3 on penalties, after it ended 1-1 post regulation time. The Indian team successfully defended their SAFF U19 Championship crown at the Golden Jubilee Stadium on Sunday, according to the official website of AIFF. The match had ended 1-1 after regulation time, forcing a nervy penalty shootout. Buoyed by a raucous crowd, India had taken the lead in the second minute through captain Singamayum Shami before Bangladesh equalised in the 61st minute through Md Joy Ahamed. The shootout was not for the faint-hearted. Rohen Singh's limp second penalty gave Bangladesh the upper hand as keeper Md Ismail Hossain Mahin saved the spot-kick; the stadium fell silent. Bibiano Fernandes' boys refused to buckle. When Bangladesh skipper Nazmul Huda Faysal blazed his effort over the cross-bar, the game swung back India's way. With renewed belief, India converted their remaining kicks, and goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam delivered when it mattered the most. He dived low to his left to deny Salahuddin Sahed. Captain Singamayum Shami, who had started the evening with a stunning goal, stepped up for the final kick. Calm, composed, and full of conviction, he slotted it in to crown India champions once again. A fitting end to a tense and fiercely fought contest. Md Mithu Chowdhury, Md Mursed Ali, and Md Joy Ahamed scored their penalties for Bangladesh, while Md Arbash, Rishi Singh, Jodric Abranches, and Shami scored their spot-kicks for India. India had come flying out of the blocks. Within two minutes, they were ahead. Awarded a free-kick from over 30 yards out, Shami spotted the Bangladesh keeper slightly out of position and went for goal. His curling strike was pinpoint, and even though Mahin got a hand to it, the power behind the effort carried it into the net. India rode the momentum, dominating possession and pushing Bangladesh on the back foot. Their passing was crisp, their movement sharp, and their wings once again proved their most potent weapon. In the 16th minute, Omang Dodum sliced through the defence with a solo run and was nearly in for a second, but Mahin made a vital save to keep Bangladesh in the contest. Those missed chances would come back to haunt India. Bangladesh, rattled at first, grew into the game. They closed down spaces, cut off India's passing channels, and slowly turned the tide. By half-time, they had begun to threaten with set-pieces, but India's backline stood firm. The breakthrough came in the 61st minute. A chaotic corner sparked a scramble in the box, and Md Joy Ahamed pounced on the loose ball, firing it past Suraj Singh to level the match. It was the first goal India had conceded in the tournament, and it came at the worst possible moment. From there, both teams pressed for a winner, but the game turned cagey and physical. The final third became a battlefield, and clear-cut chances were few and far between. With the whistle blowing for full time, it all came down to the tie-breaker and India captain Shami rose to the occasion a second time to bury the final penalty into the net and send his team and the crowd into delirium. (ANI)
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India beats Bangladesh on penalties to win SAFF U-19 Championship 2025
India U19s showed nerves of steel to outlast Bangladesh 4-3 on penalties to successfully defend its SAFF U19 Championship crown at the Golden Jubilee Stadium on Sunday. The match had ended 1-1 after regulation time, forcing a nervy penalty shootout. Buoyed by a raucous crowd, India had taken the lead in the second minute through captain Singamayum Shami before Bangladesh equalised in the 61st minute through Md Joy Ahamed. The shootout was not for the faint-hearted. Rohen Singh's limp second penalty gave Bangladesh the upper hand as keeper Md Ismail Hossain Mahin saved the spot-kick. But Bibiano Fernandes' boys refused to buckle. When Bangladesh skipper Nazmul Huda Faysal blazed his effort over the cross-bar, the game swung back India's way. With renewed belief, India converted its remaining kicks, and goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam delivered when it mattered the most. He dived low to his left to deny Salahuddin Sahed. Captain Shami, who had started the evening with a stunning goal, stepped up for the final kick. Calm, composed, and full of conviction, he slotted it in to crown India champions once again. A fitting end to a tense and fiercely fought contest. SAFF U19 Championship Awards Highest Goal-scorer: Danny Meitei Laishram (5 goals) - India Best Goalkeeper: Suraj Singh Aheibam - India Most Valuable Player: MD Arbash - India Fair Play: India India had come flying out of the blocks. Within two minutes, it was ahead. Awarded a free-kick from over 30 yards out, Shami spotted the Bangladesh keeper slightly out of position and went for goal. His curling strike was pinpoint, and even though Mahin got a hand to it, the power behind the effort carried it into the net. ALSO READ | 'Perfect Leader' Khalid Jamil has eye on future as he sets up Jamshedpur FC's foundation India rode the momentum, dominating possession and pushing Bangladesh on the back foot. In the 16th minute, Omang Dodum sliced through the defence with a solo run and was nearly in for a second, but Mahin made a vital save to keep Bangladesh in the contest. Those missed chances would come back to haunt India. Bangladesh, rattled at first, grew into the game. It closed down spaces, cut off India's passing channels, and slowly turned the tide. By half-time, it had begun to threaten with set-pieces, but India's backline stood firm. The breakthrough came in the 61st minute. A chaotic corner sparked a scramble in the box, and Md Joy Ahamed pounced on the loose ball, firing it past Suraj Singh to level the match. It was the first goal India had conceded in the tournament, and it came at the worst possible moment. From there, both teams pressed for a winner, but the game turned cagey and physical. The final third became a battlefield, and clear-cut chances were few and far between. With the whistle blowing for full time, it all came down to the tie-breaker. And India captain Shami rose to the occasion a second time to bury the final penalty into the net and send his team and the crowd into delirium.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India defend SAFF U19 crown
Still in their teens, India U19s showed steely resolves worthy of men as they got the better of Bangladesh 4-3 via penalty shootout , after the SAFF U19 Championship final was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, on Sunday. In the process the India colts also defended their crown at Golden Jubilee Stadium. Backed by a raucous crowd, the hosts took an early lead in only the second minute of the match through captain Singamayum Shami . Earning a free-kick from over 30 yards out, Shami spotted Bangladesh goalkeeper Md Ismail Hossain Mahin was slightly out of position and went for the goal. Shami's curling strike went into the net despite Mahin getting a hand to it as it was too powerful a strike to keep it at bay. The scoreline stayed in India's favour at half-time despite Bangladesh growing into the game after the early setback. But Bangladesh managed to draw level after the change of ends when substitute winger Md Joy Ahamed scored the equaliser in the 61st minute. As a corner sparked scrambling scenes inside the area, Ahamed pounced on the loose ball to fire it past India custodian Suraj Singh Aheibam to take Bangladesh on level field. For the record, it was also the first time India had conceded in the tournament, breaking their run of clean sheets. As the score stayed 1-1, it headed for the shootout where India were trailing 2-3 after Rohen Singh's effort from the spot was saved by Bangladesh goalkeeper Mahin. However, India captain Shami rose to the occasion for the second time in the game and converted the final penalty to send his boys and 13000-strong crowd into wild celebration.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India set for summit clash vs Bangladesh in SAFF U19 meet
With 15 goals from three games in the tournament so far, Bibiano Fernandes 's U19 boys will be eager to clinch the SAFF U19 Championship title in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, on Sunday. And in between the Indians and the country's record-extending 10th men's age-group crown stand familiar rivals Bangladesh — against whom the Indian boys enjoy a 4-0 head-to-head record in SAFF age-group finals. With a roaring crowd behind the Blue Colts at the Golden Jubilee Stadium despite the rain and storm, Fernandes and his wards routed Sri Lanka and Nepal 8-0 and 4-0 in the group stage, respectively, before ousting Maldives 3-0 in the semifinal. With captain Singamayum Shami dominating the midfield, India have used the firepower of the likes of Danny Meitei Lasihram — the tournament top-scorer so far — and Omang Dodum to outplay their opponents. And they would look to do the same on Sunday against the Bangladesh side coached by Golam Robbani Choton and led by Nazmul Huda Faysal to help Fernandez earn his fourth title with India age-group teams. "We didn't play Bangladesh in the tournament, but have seen them play and know how good they are. They have shown good character in the tournament, especially in the semifinals, beating Nepal (2-1). We respect that, and we will prepare and get ourselves ready and make sure we give our best efforts in the finals," Fernandez said at the pre-match press conference on Saturday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo However, both the coach and the captain lauded the tremendous support of the fans as a motivation for their stellar show so far. "I would like to call the fans to come back tomorrow (Sunday) as well. We will give our best on the pitch and make sure that we don't leave anything behind," said the 48-year-old coach. "I promise that it will be a good game and we will entertain the crowd the same way we have entertained them in the last three games."
