India’s young Blue Colts are gearing up for an exciting showdown against Bangladesh in the SAFF U17 Championship 2025 final. The match kicks off Saturday at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, setting the stage for a battle between two strong South Asian youth football teams.
The Indian U17 squad enters the final on a hot streak, boasting four wins in four games. Their latest highlight came in the semi-finals, where they dominated Nepal 3-0. Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba, Azlaan Shah Kh, and Diamond Singh Thokchom each scored to secure the victory and keep the defending champions on track for an 11th SAFF men’s youth title.
Head coach Bibiano Fernandes praised his team’s grit after that Nepal win, especially how they stayed cool under pressure in the second half. “Nepal tested us tough, but the boys showed real character by keeping composure and pulling out the win,” Fernandes said.
Bangladesh poses a serious challenge, though. They shut out Pakistan 2-0 in their semi-final and haven’t let in a single goal all tournament. In the group stage, they crushed Nepal and Sri Lanka 4-0 each, arriving with plenty of confidence and a balanced squad.
Experience could give Bangladesh an edge—they bring eight players from last year’s U17 team that finished as runners-up to India in Bhutan. India counters with just one familiar face, Azlaan Shah Kh, while the other 22 players are making their international debut in this SAFF U17 Championship.
Fernandes urged his team to honor Bangladesh’s strengths while staying true to their game plan. “Bangladesh has more experience and plays well-rounded football. We respect that, but we’ll stick to our style and the hard work we’ve put in,” he noted.
With only one day of rest after the semi-final, recovery and focus are key. “Managing our energy in a final comes down to discipline and nailing those key moments. The players are fired up and ready to fight for the win,” Fernandes added.
Captain Wangkhem Denny Singh sees the match as a smart chess game against Bangladesh’s physical approach. “We’ve studied their games—they’re strong and physical, especially with their experienced players. But we’ll outsmart them on the field with quick thinking,” Denny said.
Football fans can’t wait to see if India defends their SAFF U17 title or if Bangladesh grabs their first crown in this high-stakes youth showdown.
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