India Wins Fourth SAFF U-19 Championship Title. Great News for Indians! The Indian men’s football team won the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 title after defeating Bangladesh 4-3 on penalties at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, on Sunday. This is great news for all the Indians and especially the football fans. The match was breathtaking and India marked their victory, highlighting the growing strength and name of the country in youth football infrastructure. To know more about the topic, “India Wins Fourth SAFF U-19 Championship Title,” read the complete article.
India Wins Fourth SAFF U-19 Championship Title
In an action-packed finale held at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, India’s U-19 football team edged out Bangladesh 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout to win the SAFF U-19 Championship 2025. After a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time, the Blue Colts showed calmness under pressure to claim their second regional title, having previously won the tournament in 2023. With this victory, India reaffirmed its rising prominence in South Asian youth football. Encouraged by a boisterous audience, India has taken the lead in the second minute through captain Singamayum Shami before Bangladesh equalized in the 61st minute through Md Joy Ahamed.
The teams that participated in the game were Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Each team had to register a squad of a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 23 players. Players born on or after 1 January 2007 were eligible to compete in the tournament (as per FIFA eligibility rules of underage competitions). The triumph was accompanied by individual honors—Danny Meitei Laishram emerged as the tournament’s highest goal-scorer with five goals, Suraj Singh Aheibam was named Best Goalkeeper, and they showcased their commendable sportsmanship.
Key Summary
| Particular | Details |
| Why in the News? | India Wins Fourth SAFF U-19 Championship Title |
| Event | SAFF U-19 Championship 2025 Final |
| Location | Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Final result | India defeated Bangladesh and won 4-4 on penalties |
| Indian Goal Scorer | Shami Singanayum (2nd minute) |
| Bangladesh Goal Scorer | Md Joy Ahamed (61st minute) |
| India’s Title Count | 2 (2023, 2025) |
| Organizer | South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) |
| Objective of the Tournament | To encourage youth football in South Asia and to give an international experience to young players. |
About South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)
The South Asian Football Association (SAFF) is a regional football association of South Asian countries. It was founded in 1997. It was a component of the Asian Football Confederation. The participants of the National Federations of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAFF organizes 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 organized by SAFF. The headquarters of SAFF is in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
SAFF Match Details
The match started with a thunder strike from the Indian Captain Singamayum shami, who found the net just two minutes into the game with a stunning free kick from over 30 yards. Spotting the Bangladesh goalkeeper slightly out of position, Shami unleashed a curling effort that, despite a desperate hand from Md Ismail Hossain Mahin, rocketed into the net, sending the Indian fans into an early celebration.
However, Bangladesh clawed their way back into the game, equalizing in the 61st minute through Md Joy Ahamed, who capitalized on a chaotic corner to slot the ball past Indian goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam, marking the first goal conceded by India in the tournament. Both teams looked for a game-winning goal as the clock ran out, but a series of missed opportunities and tenacious defense forced the match into a penalty shootout.
Bangladesh immediately took the advantage when Rohen Singh’s second penalty was saved by Mahin, casting a sudden silence over the Indian fans. Yet, the tide turned when Bangladesh captain Nazmul Huda Faysal launched his effort over the crossbar, swinging the momentum back to India. With the crowd shouting in support, India converted their remaining spot-kicks, with Suraj Singh making a significant save to deny Salahuddin Sahed. Fittingly, Shami, the score opener, stepped up to take the final penalty, calmly slotting it home to seal India’s triumph.
India’s effective penalty scorers include Md Arbash, Rishi Singh, Jodric Abranches, and Shami. Bangladesh found the net through Md Mithu Chowdhury, Md Mursed Ali, and Md Joy Ahamed. The win strengthens India’s position in the regional tournament. It also confirmed their status as the powerhouse of youth football in South Asia.
