India's record at SAFF U-19 Championship

The Blue Colts stand a chance of winning back-to-back titles.

The SAFF U19 Championship is set to commence from May 9 as India U-19 National Team is gearing up to defend their crown. Having finished as runners-up in the 2015 edition and as winners of the 2023 edition, the current iteration of the Blue Colts need to live up to the billing.

India has been placed in Group B with Nepal and Sri Lanka set to provide ample competition in the 2025 edition. Head coach Bibiano Fernandes has also spoken highly of his young players ahead of the nine-day-long competition in Arunachal Pradesh.

Losing the Final at the 2015 edition

The Blue Colts were part of the inaugural edition of the SAFF U19 Championship which was hosted in Nepal. India was part of Group B with Afghanistan and Pakistan, while hosts Nepal were part of Group A with Bangladesh and Bhutan.

While the Blue Colts coasted through the group stages, scoring five goals and conceding none, they faced a challenging Bangladesh side in the semifinals. With both sides struggling to find a breakthrough in normal time, the game was decided via a penalty shootout as they beat the Bengal Tigers 4-3 on the night.

The win set up an exciting clash with hosts Nepal, who eliminated Afghanistan in the other semifinal to set a date with India. While the Blue Colts went down a goal in the 32nd minute after Tej Tamang found the net, India bounced back late in the second half with a goal from Shahbaz Khan to send the game to penalties once again.

However, this time it was despair for team India as they lost 5-4 on penalties to Nepal after Moinuddin Khan failed to convert from the spot.

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Statement win for India at 2023 SAFF U19 Championship

With a steely determination for revenge, Team India entered the 2023 SAFF U19 Championship to go all the way once again and win the title. The defending champions, Nepal, were part of Group A with the Maldives and Pakistan, while India was part of Group B with Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The Blue Colts once again dominated the group stage,s winning both of their matches, scoring five goals and conceding once. Unlike the 2015 edition, India faced Nepal in the semifinals this time around after Pakistan won Group A and faced Bhutan in the other semifinal.

Once again, the game went to penalties after India and Nepal drew 1-1 each, courtesy of goals from Sahil Khurshid and Samir Tamang for their respective teams. However, this time around lady luck favoured team India as they won a nervy penalty shootout 3-2 over Nepal, setting up a final with their neighbour,s Pakistan.

It was the Blue Colts who came out on top against Pakistan in their second consecutive Final, as they recorded a 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Gwgsmar Goyary and a brace from Manglenthang Kipgen to guide them to victory in Kathmandu.

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