SAFF U-17 Championship 2024 Final: India U-17 defend their title, beat Bangladesh U-17 by 2-0

India U-17 has defeated Bangladesh U-17 in the final by 2-0 to become the SAFF U-17 Championship 2024 Champions. India's Mohammed Kaif and Mohammed Arbash scored the goals for India U-17 to lead the team to be the champions for the second time in the U-17 category and the 6th title in the age category overall.

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A Speedy Start from both teams 

The game saw back-to-back attacks and counter-attacks from both teams right from the very first minute and in the first quarter of the match. India created a few chances but was denied by Bangladesh's defence. Bangladesh carried out some counter-attacks as well but those remained unfruitful and the credit mostly goes to the Indian Keeper Suraj Singh. 

An attempted header by Indian forward Lunkim in the 3rd minute went over the Bangladesh goal. In the 11th minute, Shafiq Rahman for Bangladesh pulled the trigger from a long range but the ball was too weak to beat Suraj in goal. 

Indian domination in the second quarter 

In the 28th minute, Indian defender Mohammad Kaif received the first yellow of the game. Shortly after, Levis Zangminlun took the free-kick that India received just in front of the penalty box, but the kick rolled wide from the Bangladesh goal.

Close opportunities for India 

In the 35th minute, India's Md. Arbash ran into the Bangladesh goal with a through run from the left and his strike went past Bangladesh's Keeper but could not find the net. In the 40th minute, Vishal Yadav delivered a cross in the Bangladesh box but Bangladesh keeper Nahidul Islam intercepted the ball very well, denying other Indian players from connecting. Samson attempted another shot from outside the box in the 45+2' minute but the ball was well-blocked by Bangladesh's defence. 

However, the Indian team kept pushing for the coveted opener but they could not break the deadlock in the first half. Bangladesh team displayed a strong command in their defence as well and strongly held their ground in the first half. 

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A strong start from India in the second half 

Indian team picked up where they left as they produced numerous attacks right from the first minute of the second half. Soram delivered a beautiful cross inside the box after recovering the ball from Bangladesh's defence in the left flank, but the intercepting header from Arbash went over the target in the 55th minute.

Kaif opened the account for India 

India's continuous push to score for almost 50 minutes paid off soon after Arbash missed his header. India finally opened the account from a header by Mohammad Kaif in the 58th minute, as Indian Captain Mate delivered a swift cross from a corner. India took the lead by 1-0! 

Neck-to-neck clash in the fifth quarter 

Bangladesh made some substitutions to reinforce their attack and the Bangladesh coach brought in Mohammad Manik who scored the brace in the semifinal against Pakistan. 

Indian Keeper Suraj showed his utmost brilliance again in the 67th minute by coming forward to deny an attempt by Bangladesh while the Bangladesh forward was running through the open goal without any Indian defender marking him. 

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Bangladesh fought back in the last quarter 

In the 80th minute, Bangladesh forward Murshed Ali delivered a cross from a set-piece but Suraj showed his goalkeeping skills again as he collected the ball confidently. In the 90+3 minute, Bangladesh had another good chance but they could not convert it. Bangladesh kept pressing hard for a goal, but the Indian defence did not give any chance to put it in. Both the Indian defence and Keeper Suraj kept their cool to lead the Indian team to seal the victory.

The sealing strike 

The Indian team sealed their victory in the 4th minute into injury time as Indian midfielder Arbash pulled off a boastful left-footed strike and registered a well-deserved goal by his name. His goal confirmed the India U-17 team's victory by 2-0. 

India U-17 becomes the SAFF U-17 Champions for the second consecutive time after 2022 and this is their 6th title in the age category.