Undefeated India Takes on Familiar Foes in High-Stakes Finale at Yupia
Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh), May 17 — A dominant Indian U19 football team will look to clinch their record-extending 10th title in the SAFF age-group men's tournaments as they face Bangladesh in the final of the SAFF U19 Championship on Sunday.India have steamrolled their way to the summit clash, maintaining a flawless record throughout the competition. The Blue Colts began their campaign with an 8-0 demolition of Sri Lanka, followed by a 4-0 win over Nepal, and secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against the Maldives in the semifinals.
Bangladesh, too, enter the final undefeated. They held Maldives to a 2-2 draw, secured a 3-0 win over Bhutan in the group stage, and edged past Nepal 2-1 in a hard-fought semifinal.
A win on Sunday will cement India's legacy further by adding another title to their rich SAFF history. India have previously won the U15, U16, and U17 titles twice each, and the U18, U19, and U20 categories once apiece.
Bibiano Fernandes Targets Fourth SAFF Title
Head coach Bibiano Fernandes, who has guided India to three previous SAFF age-group titles, is aiming to add a fourth to his collection. Speaking ahead of the final, he emphasized preparation and respect for the opposition.“We didn’t play Bangladesh in the tournament, but have seen them play and know how good they are. They showed strong character, especially in the semi-finals. We respect that, and we will prepare and give our best in the final,” Fernandes said.
He added, “We will give our best on the pitch. It will be a good game, and we aim to entertain the crowd the same way we have in our last three matches.”
A Familiar Rivalry Renewed
India and Bangladesh share a competitive history in the SAFF youth finals. The two sides have clashed in four previous age-group tournament finals, with India emerging victorious on every occasion. Most recently, India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in the 2023 SAFF U17 final.Notably, both goal scorers from that match — Md Arbash and Mohammed Kaif — are part of the current U19 squad, adding an extra layer of confidence and experience to the Indian side.
Confident Bangladesh Ready for the Challenge
Bangladesh head coach Golam Robbani Choton praised his team’s growth and determination throughout the tournament.“Our boys have played good football in all the matches so far. They’ve learnt a lot and are now quite confident in their abilities. We are ready for the final,” said Choton.
As the two undefeated teams prepare to battle it out, Sunday’s final promises an intense showdown between regional heavyweights, with history, pride, and a coveted trophy on the line.