Holders BD U-19 reach SAFF U-19 semi-finals

May 12, 2025

Players of Bangladesh U-19 football team celebrate after winning the semifinal match of SAFF U-19 Championship against Bhutan in Arunachal Province in India on Sunday.

UNB, Dhaka :

Defending champions Bangladesh smartly reached the semi-finals of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Men’s Under-19 Championship as the first team beating Bhutan by 3-0 goal in their last Group-A match at Golden Jubilee Stadium in Arunachal Province of India on Sunday.
With the day’s feat, Bangladesh dominated the Group-A to reach the semi-finals securing four points from two group encounters and will play semi-final on May 16.
In Group-B, hosts India comfortably dominated Group-B crushing Sri Lanka by 8-0 goal in their first match on Friday last .
Bangladesh entered the field on Sunday in a must win situation to qualify for the last four stage after playing 2-2 draw with the Maldives despite of dominating the first half 2-0 goals in the opening match on Friday last.
In the day’s match, Murshed Ali put Bangladesh ahead in the 13th minute by an accurate angular shot from small D-box that kissed the Bhutan’s net hitting the side bar (1-0).
Sumon Soren scored the 2nd goal for Bangladesh in the 28th minute by an straight shot from goalmouth melee (2-0).
Bangladesh sealed the fate of the match in the 6th minute of added time (90+6 minute) by a ground shot from the danger zone, utilizing a ready made right wing pass from teammate (3-0).
In the opening match against the Maldives on Friday, Captain Nazmul Huda Faysal and Rifat Kazi scored for Bangladesh, both in the first half.
Earlier, Bangladesh team put in Group-A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives while hosts India were placed in Group-B with Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semi-finals on May 16, while the final match is billed for May 18.