India win maiden U-18 SAFF title
NEW DELHI: The Indian football team lifted the SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) men’s U-18 Championship for the first time when they defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in the title clash in Kathmandu on Sunday.
India went ahead in the second minute when Vikram Partap Singh sped past his marker and slotted the ball past the Bangladesh goalkeeper.
Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute after Gurkirat Singh and Md Fahim were given marching orders following a tiff.
Yeasin Arafat then equalised for Bangladesh in the 40th minute. However, Arafat immediately received a second yellow card, which reduced Bangladesh to nine men.
India’s winning goal came in the second half injury time when Ravi Bahadur Rana scored a screamer from about 30 yards.
“I had maintained that it will take a moment of brilliance to end this SAFF Championship, and it was fitting that Ravi finished if off with a wonderful strike,” head coach Floyd Pinto stated moments after the final whistle.
“We were not just the best footballing team in the tournament, but also the most effective team. I am really happy for the boys. They earned it,” he added.
“The sacrifices, and the commitment of the boys was exemplary.”
India’s Ninthoinganba Meetei was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel congratulated the team.
“The team improved with every match. It’s double delight for Indian youth teams especially after the U-16 qualified to AFC Championships last week. Keep it up,” Patel said.
General secretary Kushal Das said: “The SAFF U-18 Championship had been eluding us. Congratulations to everyone. This triumph will add confidence prior to the AFC U-19 qualifiers in November which is the ultimate test.”
The victory makes it sweeter with the U-15 national team having lifted the SAFF U-15 Championship beating Bangladesh in the final in August 2019. While the U-16 team went on to qualify for the AFC U-16 Championships, the U-19 team will play the qualifiers in November in its quest to qualify for the finals.