In an exciting final, India, holding their nerve, edged past Bangladesh 4-1 in a penalty shootout, securing its seventh SAFF Under-17 title at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.
After the 90-minute regulation ended 2-2, the shootout began. Dallalmuon Gangte, Korou Meitei Konthoujam, and Indra Rana Magar converted with aplomb before Shubham Poonia slotted home the decisive fourth kick for India.
In contrast, Bangladesh crumbled under pressure, with only Md Manik converting from their three attempts.
This victory also marked the fifth SAFF title for India’s coach, Bibano Fernandes, and the second in less than five months, adding to the SAFF U19 crown won in Arunachal Pradesh in May.
