Bangladesh Under-19 football team suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the SAFF U-19 Championship final, falling 4-3 to hosts India in a dramatic penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Golden Jubilee Outdoor Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, on Sunday.
The young Tigers came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy, holding a 3-2 advantage after three rounds of the shootout, thanks to goalkeeper Ismail Hossain Mahin’s crucial save against Rohen Singh. With two penalties left, Bangladesh needed just two successful conversions to seal the title.
However, captain Nazmul Huda Faysal and Salah Uddin Sahed both failed to convert, and India took full advantage. Jodric Abraanches and Singamayum Shami held their nerve to guide the hosts to back-to-back titles, while Bangladesh were left clutching silver medals and bitter disappointment.
Bangladesh’s campaign had promised so much. Despite conceding in just the 67th second of the final—when Mahin misjudged the flight of Shami’s dipping free-kick—they fought back with spirit and determination.
India dominated the early exchanges, pressing high and creating chances, but wasteful finishing kept Bangladesh in contention. Gradually, Golam Rabbani's side settled into the game, showing greater composure and building pressure.
Rifat Kazi appeared to have drawn level in the 42nd minute, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
The deserved equaliser finally came in the 60th minute, when Joy Ahamed found the net from close range amid a goalmouth scramble following a corner, reigniting Bangladesh’s hopes.
Both teams had opportunities to win in regulation time, but neither could deliver a finishing blow, leading to the decisive shootout.
Mithu Chowdhury, Mursed Ali, and Joy Ahamed successfully converted for Bangladesh, putting them within touching distance of the title. But the final moments turned cruel, as two missed penalties handed India the win and left Bangladesh with another painful memory in their pursuit of regional glory.
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