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Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) [India]: Bangladesh defeated Nepal U-19 2-1 in a fiercely contested semi-final to guarantee their place in the SAFF U-19 Championship final, according to the AIFF’s official website.

The game came alive in the last 20 minutes after a cagey and goalless first half. With a calm finish in the 74th minute, Ashikur Rahman broke the tie and opened the score. Only seven minutes later, Nazmul Huda Faysal scored a second goal to give Bangladesh a decisive advantage.

Sujan Dangol’s late score for Nepal in the 87th minute raised expectations of a spectacular comeback. But in the final moments, Bangladesh maintained composure to win by a slim but well-earned margin and guarantee their spot in the top match.

At the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd and in pouring rain, defending champions India easily defeated Maldives 3-0 in the second semi-final to go to the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 final.

India once again maintained their flawless record in terms of victories and clean sheets thanks to goals from Danny Meitei Laishram (14′), Omang Dodum (21′), and Prashan Jajo (66′), which guaranteed a smooth transition to the championship match.

In the final, Bangladesh will play the Indian team.

India seemed nimble, eager, and in total control right from the start. With wave after wave of assaults, they pinned the Maldives deep into their own half while controlling possession and the pace. Their placement was flawless, their passing was precise, and their pressing game was unrelenting.

After a well-executed corner routine, the early breakthrough occurred in the fourteenth minute. Danny Meitei made a lovely connection with a left-footed volley that bounced and smashed into the back of the goal after Prashan Jajo floated in a tease from the left. It was another example of Danny’s precision finishing and his fifth goal of the competition.

Six minutes later, India’s second goal was the result of flawless coordination. Jajo was the architect once again, scurrying down the left flank and then scooping the ball over the Maldives defense. India had a 2-0 lead going into halftime when Meitei deftly passed it off to local favorite Omang Dodum, who made no mistakes from close range.

Despite displaying moments of offensive flare in earlier games, the Maldives struggled to breach the Indian defense. Goalie Suraj Singh Aheibam was up to the challenge when they did manage to get shots off.

In the second half, India’s clever tactics prevented the Maldives from having time or room to build a comeback. India shut off passing lanes and eliminated any possible danger since they anticipated their propensity to press strongly after the half.

In the second half, the skies came up, soaking the field and creating difficult conditions. However, India quickly exploited a goalkeeping mistake after adapting effectively. Jajo scored a strong right-footed goal from beyond the area in the 65th minute. The game ended in a 3-0 loss when Maldives goalie Xahran Hassan Ziyad miscalculated the shot’s speed and let the ball slide past his hands.

India’s backline persevered through the rain, capping another confident performance, despite a few late bids by the Maldives to rescue dignity.