SAFF U-20 Championship 2026: Top three performers for the India U-20 team against Bangladesh U-20

India U-20’s captain Suraj Aheibam was voted as the Man of the Match against Bangladesh U-20

The Group stage of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 has concluded. India U-20 and Bangladesh played out a 1-1 draw in front of a packed house in the Maldives, with the young Blue Tigers coming out as group winners on goal difference.

Group B housed India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan’s U-20 teams. Both India and Bangladesh beat the Pakistan U-20 team earlier in the tournament and had already confirmed their qualification to the knockouts before their encounter on Saturday.

The India U-20 team took the lead in the game through Vishal Yadav in the 17th minute; however, Bangladesh U-20 scored right before half-time to level the scores.

Both teams had their chances in the second half, but fluffed their lines as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Owing to the result, India topped the group on goal difference and will be playing Bhutan U-20 in the semifinals. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will play against Group A winners Nepal U20 for a place in the final.

Here are the three India U-20 players who stood out in the game against Bangladesh’s U-20 team:

Vishal Yadav (Left Winger)

Vishal Yadav started on the left wing for the India U-20 football team and looked brilliant upfront. The 18-year-old gave his everything on the pitch and was the main man for India in attack.

The player got his reward early in the first half as he scored the only goal for India, giving them an early lead.

Aside from his goal, Vishal also made a couple of good solo dribbles and was a constant threat in the Bangladeshi defense. Defensively, too, the Punjab FC player constantly tracked back to help his defense throughout the game.

Vishal has two goals in two SAFF U-20 Championship games to his name, and his teammates will be looking at him to light up the pitch once again when India play Bhutan on 1st April.

Mohammed Kaif (Centreback)

The Indian midfield was not at their best against the Bangladesh U-20 side and this meant that the young Bangla Tigers had a lot of cracks against the Indian defense.

However, the young Blues stayed firm as they were led by Mohammed Kaif in defense.

The India U-20 centreback looked very good defensively throughout the game. Aside from staying firm in open play, Kaif was also good in defending corners and freekicks with his aerial strength and physicality.

Bangladesh were relying on Ronan Sullivan to lead their attack, however, Kaif managed to keep him quiet for most of the game, helping India top group B.

Suraj Aheibam (Goalkeeper)

The Indian U-20 football team’s captain and goalkeeper was also good in their game against the Bangladesh U-20 team, and owing to his efforts, he was also awarded the Man of the Match award by the SAFF committee.

Suraj Aheibam had a big part in defending the freekicks and corners. The Bengaluru FC goalkeeper confidently punched away the balls and almost claimed almost everything that came his way.

The 18-year-old did make a minor error as he missed punching out the ball that eventually gave Bangladesh their goal before halftime.

However, aside from that, he commanded his defense and did his job well.

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