India clinched the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 title in a thrilling final decided narrowly on penalties. The match had it all—early excitement, missed opportunities, a fierce comeback, and a nail-biting finish! Ultimately, the India U19 team held their nerve to edge past Bangladesh 4-3 in the penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 in regular time. The Blue Colts successfully defended their SAFF U19 Championship crown at the Golden Jubilee Stadium on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
The match was tied 1-1 after regulation, leading to a tense penalty shootout. Energized by a lively crowd, India took an early lead in the second minute thanks to captain Singamayum Shami, but Bangladesh fought back to equalize in the 61st minute through Md Joy Ahamed.
Two back-to-back titles for Blue Colts! 🏆🏆India are the winners of the SAFF U19 Championship 2025!! #IndianFootball #IndianFootballTeam #IndiaU19 #INDBAN #SAFFU19 pic.twitter.com/k9k8A36ylO
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) May 18, 2025
The shootout was intense and nerve-wracking. Rohen Singh’s weak second penalty gave Bangladesh the advantage when their goalkeeper, Md Ismail Hossain Mahin, saved the spot-kick, leaving the stadium in stunned silence.
However, Bibiano Fernandes’ team didn’t give up. When Bangladesh captain Nazmul Huda Faysal fired his penalty over the crossbar, momentum shifted back to India. Fueled by this renewed confidence, India successfully converted their remaining penalties. Goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam made a crucial save at the end, diving low to his left to stop Salahuddin Sahed’s shot.
India began the match with a spectacular goal.
Captain Singamayum Shami, who had already announced his presence with a brilliant goal early in the SAFF U19 Championship final, stepped up confidently for the decisive penalty. Calm and composed, he calmly slotted the ball home, securing the championship for India once again. It was a perfect conclusion to a tense and fiercely contested match.
India started aggressively. Within just two minutes, they took the lead. Awarded a free-kick from over 30 yards, Shami noticed the Bangladesh goalkeeper slightly off his line and went straight for goal. His curling strike was precise, and although Mahin managed to get a hand on it, the power behind the shot carried the ball into the net.
Riding the wave of momentum, India dominated possession and kept Bangladesh on the back foot. Their passing was sharp, their movement fluid, and their wingers once again proved to be their most dangerous asset. In the 16th minute, Omang Dodum broke through the defense on a solo run and was close to doubling the lead, but Mahin made a crucial save to keep Bangladesh in the game.
However, those missed opportunities would come back to haunt India.
Initially rattled, Bangladesh gradually found their rhythm in the SAFF U19 final. They tightened their defense, cut off India’s passing lanes, and slowly shifted the momentum. By halftime, they had started to pose a threat from set-pieces, but India’s defense remained resolute.
Bangladesh gains momentum in the second half
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute. A chaotic corner led to a scramble in the penalty area, and Md Joy Ahamed seized the loose ball, firing it past Suraj Singh to equalize. This was the first goal India had conceded in the tournament, and it came at the most critical moment.
From that point on, both teams pushed hard for the winner, but the match grew tense and physical. The final third turned into a battleground, with clear scoring chances becoming increasingly rare.
As the final whistle blew, the outcome was decided by penalties. Once again, India’s captain Shami rose to the occasion, calmly converting the final penalty to send his team and the fans into euphoria, securing the SAFF U19 Championship 2025.
