Shootout agony for Bangladesh as India clinch SAFF U-19 title
Shami, who had scored India’s opening goal, calmly slotted home the decisive fifth penalty to secure the title for the hosts.
India edged out Bangladesh 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to win the SAFF U-19 Championship final after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Arunachal on 18 May.
Bangladesh had shown great resilience to claw their way back into the contest after conceding an early goal due to a goalkeeping blunder. India's captain Singamayum Shami opened the scoring in just the second minute with a long-range free-kick that caught Bangladeshi goalkeeper Ismail Hossain Mahin out of position, floating over his head into the net.
Despite the early setback, Bangladesh gradually grew into the match. The final ten minutes of the first half saw them dominate proceedings, with a series of corners and promising attacks led by captain Nazmul Huda Faisal and standout midfielder Morshed Ali. They thought they had equalised just before the break, but the referee's whistle for a foul denied them the goal.
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Bangladesh came out strongly after the interval and made tactical substitutions that turned the tide. Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when substitute Mohammad Joy Ahmed found the net from close range during a goalmouth scramble, drawing the scores level.
Both sides created chances in the closing stages. India pushed forward in search of a winner, while Bangladesh threatened on the counter. In stoppage time, a crucial clearance off the goal-line by a Bangladeshi defender kept the match level, pushing the final to a penalty shootout as the tournament rules did not allow extra time.
Bangladesh began the shootout on a high note, with Mithu Chowdhury converting the first spot-kick. Morshed Ali and Joy Ahmed also found the net, and goalkeeper Mahin kept out India's second penalty, giving Bangladesh a temporary advantage.
However, the pressure mounted. Captain Faisal sent the fourth penalty over the bar, and after India drew level at 3-3, Salauddin's effort was saved by the Indian goalkeeper. Shami, who had scored India's opening goal, calmly slotted home the decisive fifth penalty to secure the title for the hosts.
