Latest news with #SouthAsianFootballFederation
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
SAFF U19 C'ship: India aim to entertain crowd in summit clash
Yupia: Aimingto win their record-extending 10th SAFF age-group men's tournament, India will take on Bangladesh in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2025 final on Sunday at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, and head coach Bibiano Fernandes hopes his team can entertain the crowds. India have won the U15, U16, and U17 tournaments twice each, and the U18, U19, and U20 once each. Fernandes has won three of them and is looking for his fourth on Sunday. Bangladesh are familiar opponent for the Blue Colts. The two nations have met in four SAFF men's age-group finals, and India have won all four, including last year's SAFF U17 final by 2-0, with goals from Mohammed Arbash and Mohammed Kaif, both of whom are part of the current U19 squad. India have showcased utter dominance in front of a roaring Arunachal Pradesh crowd so far, winning 8-0 and 4-0 against Sri Lanka and Nepal, respectively, in the group stage, and 3-0 against the Maldives in the semifinal on Friday.
News18
17-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
SAFF U19 Championship: India Eye Record-Extending Title Against Bangladesh
Aiming to win their record-extending 10th SAFF age-group men's tournament, India will take on Bangladesh in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2025 final on Sunday at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, and head coach Bibiano Fernandes hopes his team can entertain the crowds. India have won the U15, U16, and U17 tournaments twice each, and the U18, U19, and U20 once each. Fernandes has won three of them and is looking for his fourth on Sunday. Bangladesh are familiar opponent for the Blue Colts.
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
India secure 8-0 win over Sri Lanka in SAFF U19 title defence opener
Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], May 10 (ANI): India kicked off their South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship title defence in spectacular fashion with a commanding 8-0 victory against Sri Lanka in their Group B opener at the Golden Jubilee Stadium. On Friday, the dominant display was capped by a superb hat-trick from Danny Meitei Laishram (26', 31', 50') -- the tournament's first -- while Prashan Jajo (17', 62') bagged a brace in a comprehensive all-round performance. Md Arbash (40'), Omang Dodum (48'), and captain Singamayum Shami (81') scored one each, as per a press release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The hosts, cheered on by a raucous home crowd in the first-ever international football tournament in Arunachal Pradesh, showed their intent from the very first whistle. With slick passing, intelligent movement, and constant pressure, India dominated every inch of the pitch and left Sri Lanka chasing shadows. India's midfield, led by a disciplined and composed unit, dictated the tempo with sharp distribution, while their forwards tore through Sri Lanka's disorganised backline. On the wings, Arbash and Rohen Singh were especially threatening, generating wave after wave of attacks. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Prashan Jajo burst down the left flank, beating his marker with pace and precision before smashing home from a tight angle to give India a deserved lead. Just nine minutes later, a misjudged backpass from Sri Lanka allowed Omang Dodum to pounce and deliver a pinpoint cross for Danny, who made no mistake with a well-timed header. India made it 3-0 in the 31st minute when Danny struck again -- this time with a powerful left-footed effort from 21 yards out that flew past stranded Sri Lanka goalkeeper Nadal Aaron Senapala. The fourth arrived before half-time, when Danny floated a cross into the box, which Jajo headed cleverly into the path of Arbash, who tapped home with ease. The second half resumed with the same energy as the first. Local favourite Omang Dodum got on the scoresheet in the 48th minute, showing brilliant footwork to beat his marker before slotting between the legs of Senapala. A couple of minutes later, Danny completed his hat-trick after capitalising on a defensive error from Omith Edirisinghe, calmly finishing from close range to make it 6-0. In the 62nd minute, Jajo doubled his tally after Senapala failed to collect a routine header from India captain Singamayum Shami, spilling the ball into the path of the forward who slotted home. The eighth and final goal was a moment of individual brilliance from Shami himself, who danced past two defenders before finishing clinically from a tight angle in the 81st minute. India's commanding victory was a statement of intent -- solid at the back, fluid in midfield, and lethal in attack. With the crowd on their feet and spirits soaring in the rain-kissed hills of Yupia, the Blue Colts made it clear that they remain firm favourites to retain their SAFF U19 crown. India U19: Aheibam Suraj Singh (GK), Jodric Abranches, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, Singamayum Shami (C), Omang Dodum (Bharat Lairenjam 59'), Md Arbash (Gurnaj Singh Grewal 80'), Chaphamayum Rohen Singh (Ahongshangbam Samson 59'), Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Danny Meitei Laishram (Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh 59'), Sohum Utreja, Prashan Jajo (Yohaan Benjamin 69'). (ANI)
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
SAFF Championship 2025 postponed to 2026; venue, dates yet to be decided
The 2025 edition of the SAFF Championship has been postponed to 2026, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) announced on Thursday. '... SAFF, our Member Associations and SportFive felt that more arrangement needed to be in place to deliver the competition in a smooth manner,' the body said in a media release. 'Therefore, we have come to a decision to postpone the SAFF Championship to 2026 so that all our stakeholders and member associations have adequate time to organise the championship in a grand manner.' The SAFF Championship, which was previously hoisted in India in 2023, was expected to be played in a home-and-away format. However, it was later decided to be organised with Sri Lanka as the centralised venue, something that remains cancelled now. ALSO READ: Mohun Bagan Super Giant's 2025 Kalinga Super Cup squad announced It will instead happen next year, and the dates and venue for the tournament are yet to be finalised. 'With 2026 being a FIFA World Cup year, enough attention has to be given to find an appropriate timeline and venue for the SAFF Championship,' SAFF added in its statement. 'We urge all our stakeholders, fans, media and the member associations to bear with us so that the prestigious event will be organised flawlessly.' India is the record winner of the SAFF Championship (nine titles) and is also the defending champion, with Sunil Chhetri winning the Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Boot (highest goalscorer) in 2023.
