SAFF U-20 Champ: Bangladesh face off India in final today

Bangladesh Under-20 Football team will face off India Under-20 Football team in their final match of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-20 Championship today at the Male International Football Stadium in Maldives.

The match will kick-off 9:00pm (Bangladesh Standard Time).

Mithu Chowdhury of Bangladesh U-20 Football team will lead his team, while Captain of India U-20 Football team Suraj Singh will lead his side.

A total of seven teams dividing into two groups took part in the first phase of the SAFF Under-20 Football Championship, the most prestigious football competition for the youth footballers of the South Asian Region.

Defending champions Bangladesh, India and Pakistan were in Group-B, while Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka were in Group-A.

Bangladesh and India bagged four points each. But by virtue of better goal difference, India emerged the champions in Group-B, while Bangladesh became Group-B runners-up.

On way to final, Bangladesh eased past Pakistan by two goals to nil in their first Group-B match on March 24. America-born Bangladeshi Ronan Sulivan scored two goals for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh made a 1-1 draw with India in their second Group-B match on March 28.

On the other hand, India defeated Pakistan by three goals to nil in their first Group-B match on March 26.

Bangladesh reached the final after edging past Nepal by a solitary goal in the first semi-final on April 1.

On the other hand, India stormed into the final after blanking Bhutan 5-0 in the second semi-final on the same day.

It may be mentioned that all the matches were held at the Male International Stadium.