Bangladesh face India in SAFF U-17 final today

Bangladesh and India will lock horns in the final of the ongoing SAFF U-17 Championship 2024 today at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu at 6 pm (BST).

Two-time former champions Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 8(2)-7(2) goals while last year’s champions India beat Nepal by 4-2 goals in the semifinals, both on Sunday at the same venue.

“They (India) are favourite. But our goal is also to win the trophy, but we know it is a very difficult job. We have to work very hard and we have to make it collectively. The final should be like a final, everyone has to give their best,” said Bangladesh head coach Saiful Bari Titu.  

“We may not have a lot of chances in the final, we have to use what we will get. The same thing about India. Whoever will make fewer mistakes, will win the game. We did a lot of work on shootout, set pieces. They will also be ready for the shootout,” he said in a pre-match presser on Sunday. .

In the group stage, Bangladesh lost to India by 0-1 goal while played out 1-1 draw with Maldives. India, on the other hand, beat Maldives 3-0 goals.
“We started the tournament with a defeat to India in the first match. But we learned a lot of things after the Maldives and Pakistan matches. It will help us a lot,” said Nazmul Huda Faysal.

Bangladesh previously lost to the five-time champions India by 0-2 goals in the 2023 edition of this regional age-level competition at the same venue in September.  

The previous edition of this event was held on U-16 level but this edition is taking place on the U-17 level.

“Bangladesh are good side. They are more stable than other teams in this tournament. They also did well in the semifinals, and made a comeback. It will be a good, entertaining match tomorrow,” said India head coach Ishfaq Ahmed, adding that they would face a tough challenge from Bangladesh in the final.

“To be honest, Bangladesh are the best team in this tournament. But we will go as per the plan and take back the trophy at home,” said India captain Mate Ngamgouhou.    

Meanwhile, Bangladesh clinched the first title of this age-level meet beating India by 4(1)-2(1) goals in the 2015 (U-16) edition in Sylhet and the second title beating Pakistan by 3(1)-2(1) in the 2018 (U-15) edition in Nepal.