India 0-0 Bangladesh Highlights, SAFF U20 Championship 2026 Final: Blue Colts Lose 4-3 On Penalties

Good evening, football fans! This is the start of our live blog covering the SAFF U20 Championship final between India and Bangladesh in the Maldives. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are released.

• Fixture: India U20 vs Bangladesh U20

• Series: SAFF U20 Championship 2026

• Venue: National Football Stadium, Male, Maldives

• Date: Friday, April 3, 2026

• Time: 8:30 PM IST

The SAFF U20 Championship 2026 final between India and Bangladesh will be live-streamed on the Sportzworkz YouTube channel for free. There will be no television broadcast of the game.

Starting XI: Suraj Singh Aheibam (gk) (c), Jodric Abranches, Bungson Singh Takhellambam, Omang Dodum, Md Abrash, Rohen Singh Chaphamayum, Vishal Yadav, Rishikanta Meitei Laishram, Roshan Singh Thangjam, Ahongshangbam Samson, Yaipharemba Chingakham.

Bench: Alsabith Sulaiman Thekkekaramel, M.S. Thokchom, Mohammed Kaif, Aniket Yadav, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, Thoungamba Singh Usham, Danny Meitei Laishram, Karish Soram, Tanbir Dey, Prashan Jajo, Pranav Sundarraman.

Starting: Md Ismail Hossain Mahin (gk), Md Mithu Chowdhury (c), Md Kamal Merdha, Chandon Roy, Nazmul Huda Faysal, Md Mursed Ali, Ronan Benjamin Sullivan, Sheikh Sangram, Md Abdul Riyad Fahim, Md Yousuf Ali.

Bench: Sani Das, Ihsan Habib Riduan, Sree Sumon Soren, S.P. Rafiz, Md Joy Ahamed, Samuel Raksam, Moltagim Alam Hemel, Md Rifat Kazi, Ibrahim Hasib Nawaz, Declan Theodore Sullivan, Md Nahidul Islam.

The national anthems are done, and the rivals shake hands before taking their positions on the field. Referee Umesh Bidari blows his whistle, and India take the kick off to start tonight's final. Stay tuned!

A brilliant early chance for India. Rohen does exceptionally well to keep the ball in on the right flank. He floats in a quick cross that finds Abrash, but his header goes whiskers wide off the post.

After India's early blitz, Bangladesh have gained some foothold in the match. Manik and Sullivan have been a thorn on the sides of the Indian full-backs. The former wins a free-kick on the left, which Sullivan floats in towards the middle of the box. Mithu jumps over everyone and gets a downward header which goes millimetres past the post. Suraj was rooted to his spot.

Bangladesh have continued to pile pressure on the Indian box. A long throw from the right, targetting Yusuf in the box, is half-cleared by the defence, but the Bengal Tigers regain posession. However, the resulting shot is an easy catch for Suraj.

India have found their footing in the contest. A long ball from the Blue Colts led to Mahin coming out of his line to head the ball away. He missed, but the rebound was not on target. Much, much more positive from India.

Bangladesh have continued to push hard for a late goal before the break, but India are holding firm. Meanwhile, the fourth official holds up his board to indicate a minimum of two minutes to be added on.

A dangerous delivery from Mursed leads to an acrobatic half-volley from Sullivan from the edge of the box, which flies over the bar. It was a nervy end to the first half for India, with Bangladesh being arguably the better side in the first 45 minutes. It remains to be seen what Mahesh Gawli tells his team at the break to turn this around.

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The players are out on the pitch, and Bangladesh get the second half rolling. It was goalless at the break, and the two teams have 45 more minutes to get the winner before we go to penalties. No changes at the break.

We are approaching the hour mark, and it's still the same cagey and cautious contest that we saw in the first half. India win a free-kick some 35 yeards away, but Omang Dodum went straight for goal. However, it was never going to trouble Mahin, who gathers it easily.

A long throw from the left by India goes straight into the danger area. Mahin comes out to punch it away but ends up grasping at thin air. Still, India are unable to capitalise on the chance, and the Bangladeshi defence clears the ball away.

Mark Cox finally turns to his bench, and Declan Sullivan comes on in place of Nazmul Huda. Can the Philadelphia Union youngster prove to be the difference maker for the Bengal Tigers?

With time ticking away, time for Mahesh Gawli to make a change. Rishi Singh comes on in place of Rohen Singh, with India looking to add some fresh legs up top. The head coach might have one eye on penalties too.

That was the chance for India to take a late lead. Rishi does so well to get past his marker and deliver a cross into the box. It evades the run of Omang, but Vishal is right behind him. However, his shot flies over the bar, and the cries for a corner are waved away by the referee.

The fourth official holds up his board to indicate a minimum of four minutes to be added on. Four minutes for either side to find the goal that will surely prove to be the winner. Else, we will go to penalties.

The referee blows the full time whistle, and on we go to penalties! Five kicks each to decide who lifts the SAFF U20 Championship title.

India:

• Rishi Singh 🔴

• Md Abrash 🟢

• Ahongshangbam Samson 🟢

• Vishal Yadav 🟢

• Omang Dodum 🔴

Bangladesh:

• Md Mursed Ali 🟢

• Chandon Roy 🟢

• Md Abdul Riyad Fahim 🟢

• Samuel Raksam 🔴

• Ronan Sullivan 🟢

That is that, and Bangladesh have downed the tournament favourites to win the SAFF U20 Championship title for the second time. Tears from several Indian players, while Suraj Singh looks angry. The Bangladeshi players and staff are on seventh heaven, celebrating with the supporters.