India U20 settle for a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh U20 in SAFF U20 Championship clash

The Blue Colts will play Bhutan U20 in the semifinals.

The SAFF U20 Championship 2026 group stage has ended with an exciting match-up, as the India U20 men’s team faced the Bangladesh U20 men’s team.

Both teams have already qualified for the semi-finals, but from a sporting perspective, this match was very important for both teams. India U20 holds a tight 1-1 draw against Bangladesh U20 in a closely contested group B encounter of the SAFF U20 Championship. The Blue Colts will now play their semi-finals against Bhutan.

After taking the first half lead with their prominent gameplay, they had to settle for a draw. Bangladesh fought back very hard to hold the stalemate as they struck very late in the additional time in the first half. Vishal Yadav scored the first for the Blues at the 17th minute, and for Bangladesh U20, Abdul Riyad broke the deadlock at 45+10th minute. Both teams weren’t able to find a winner in the second half.

Vishal Yadav scored first, as Abdul Riyad with a late equaliser

India U20 men’s team was locked at 1-1 in the first half against the Bangladesh U20 men’s team in a closely fought match of the SAFF U20 Championship. The India U20 team began their match on the right foot by scoring first. They have shown early attacking intent and possession-controlled midfield dominance in the match’s opening 15 minutes.

The positive intent has given the Blue Colts a goal at the 17th minute, as Vishal Yadav, the youngster, found the back of the net. The defensive lapse of the Bangladesh team, and Vishal was all alone with his clinical finishing to give India the lead. Omang and Vishal duo thrashed the Bengal Tigers’ defence with a brilliant corner. Omang crossed as pinpoint as needed, and Vishal jumped and scored a beautiful header to give Blue Colts the lead.

With the advantage of scoring early, India U20 presses very hard to open the scorecard in the second. But the Bangladesh U20 team have a better plan than them. They have gradually grown into the game and put more attacks after 35 minutes.

Abdul Riyad Fahim scored the equaliser and broke the deadlock against the Indian team at 45+10th minute to bring his side level. This one also came from the corner as India scored. Ronan Sullivan took the corner early to the far post, where Abdul Rahim was very sharp, and found the back of the net. The goal shifted the momentum just before the second half.

Neither side was able to find the winner

From the start of the second half, the match got heated up, as usual, when two arch-rivals met, and the atmosphere rose. After conceding an equaliser in the first half against the Bengal Tigers, Blue Colts started their half very aggressively. The match is getting more physical and possession-oriented. Bangladesh U20 football team deliberately knocked on the opponent’s door for an extra goal to lead the game again and again.

Omang Dodum got a good hold of the game. The last game hero has a one-on-one situation at the 58th minute against the Bangladesh goalkeeper, but he denied the chance of India U20, making a crucial save. Mahesh Gawali made the substitution in 66 minutes of the game, as Aniket Yadav filled the gap of MD Arbash. As the match is getting congested minute after minute, Bangladesh made their double substitution to influence their attacking firepower.

The result was seen right after the double substitutions as the Bangladesh U20 team put a good cross, but Suraj Aheibam stood still. So much late drama occurred in the additional time, as both teams had their corners. Bangladesh came very close to scoring the winner in the 94th minute, but the header went far from Suraj, which added a breath of relief.

The game ended with a close-fought draw as both teams secured their place in the SAFF U20 Championship 2026 semi-finals. India will now play against Bhutan in the semis.

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