India Vs Bhutan Highlights, SAFF U17 Championship: IND 1-0 BHU; Scratchy Blue Colts Ease Into Semi-Finals

Greetings and welcome to everyone joining us for some Indian football action. The Blue Colts, fresh from a 6-0 demolition of Maldives, now take on Bhutan. We will bring to you the build-up and live updates from the SAFF U17 encounter.

The match kicks off at 7:30pm IST. The India vs Bhutan, SAFF U17 Championship 2025 Group B match will be live-streamed on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel in India. It will not be televised on any TV channel in the country.

Here is the Blue Colts' line-up for their face-off with Bhutan tonight:

We are moments away from kick-off. India and Bhutan are posing for the customary team photographs and the two captains have met the match officials. The two teams are in huddles now and gearing up for the first half.

Play gets underway at Colombo's Racecourse International Stadium. India kicking from left to right and Bhutan from right to left in the first half. The Blue Colts will look to produce a strong showing before they face off against arch-rivals Pakistan in their last group match.

It's been a fairly even start to the match. No clear chances yet as the teams fight mid-field battles and build their attacking, defensive rhythms in the first 10 minutes.

India now hogging possession and hovering around the Bhutan box, as was expected. That they have not created any big chance in the first 21 minutes might be a cause for worry but amends can certainly be made later.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan beat Maldives 5-2 to notch up their second straight win in the competition. That means they are currently on top of the Group B table with six points, while India are second with three points. A win tonight for the Blue Colts would confirm both sides' passage to the semi-finals, eliminating Maldives and Bhutan in the process.

Bhutan must pat themselves on their backs, for they have held the Indians to a goalless first half. Most were expecting the Blue Colts to score at least two goals in the first 45 minutes, but it was not to be. Bibiano Fernandes would surely have a few words to say to his wards during the lemon break.

The players return from the mid-game interval and the second half gets underway. India now kicking from right to left and Bhutan from left to right. The Blue Colts earn an early free-kick but end up skying it way over the goal.

Finally, a goal for India! Substitute Rahan Ahmed comes in and scores in the 57th minute to break the deadlock. Could this open the floodgates for the Blue Colts?

A first goal has not led to a quick second, though India are threatening to score frequently. Captain Denny Singh Wangkhem is brought down in the 75th minute, and India earn a free-kick in a potentially dangerous area. But nothing comes of the setpiece.

India thwarted! Diamond Singh fires a well-directed header in response to a pin-point cross in the 81st minute, but Bhutan goalie Sherab Dorji reacts brilliantly to make a diving save to his left.

India now find the back of the net but the goal is disallowed. Rahan Ahmed pounces on a stray, deflected ball in the box to seemingly score in the 83rd minute but the offside flag is raised and the scoreline stays at 1-0.

Two minutes added as stoppage time to the second half. Nobody would have expected just one goal after 90 minutes of play in this match, but it is what is, and Bhutan deserve as much credit as India do introspection.

There comes the full-time whistle. The scoreline stays at 1-0 and India, though they would be disappointed with the outcome, have notched up their second straight win to confirm a semi-final berth. They join Pakistan from Group B, who also have two back-to-back wins.

The next game is the big one for India; they face Pakistan, who are not only arch-rivals but also the best challenger to Bibiano Fernandes' boys in the group, by far. The match, though not consequential in terms of advancement with both teams in the semis, is set to be the most closely contested one of the tournament so far. Mark your calendars for Monday, September 22.