India beat Bangladesh to lift the 2025 SAFF U19 Championship title

Defending champion India defeated Bangladesh  4-3 in a penalty shootout to lift the 2025 SAFF U-19 Championship title. The 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-19  was held at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, from 9 to 18 May 2025.

In the previous edition of the SAFF U-19 Championship, India defeated Pakistan in the final to lift the title.

In the final match, the Indian football team, also known as Blue Colts, took an early lead with a goal from captain Singamayum Shami, who scored within two minutes of the game. Bangladesh equalised in the 61st minute of the game when Md Joy Ahamed scored the goal.

The match ended in a draw, 1-1, at the end of the regulation time. In the penalty shootout, India emerged victorious 4-3, with the Indian goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam saving Salahuddin Sahed's kick.

About the SAFF U-19 Championship 

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) organised the SAFF U-19 Championships, which were hosted by the All India Federation and the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association.

Six teams participated in the Championships, which were divided into two groups. 

Group A- Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives

Group B: Nepal, India and Sri Lanka 

India defeated Sri Lanka 8-0 In the opening match, Nepal won 4-0 in their group matches. From Group B, India and Nepal qualified for the semi-final.

From group A, the Maldives and Bangladesh qualified for the semi-finals.

In the first semifinal, Bangladesh defeated Nepal 2-1 to qualify for the final.

In the second semifinal, India defeated the Maldives 3-0.

In the final, India defeated Bangladesh in the penalty shootout to win the Championship.

About South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)

The South Asian Football Association (SAFF) is a regional football association of South Asian countries. 

It was established in 1997.

It is a part of the Asian Football Confederation.

Members: The National Football Federations of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.  

SAFF organises various competitions for men and women at the senior and junior levels.

The SAFF Championship for the senior men and women is the premier football tournament organised by SAFF.

Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh 

President: Md. Salahuddin