SAFF U-20 Championship 2026: Updated points table, most goals after India U-20 vs Bangladesh U-20
India tops the group on goal difference
The India U-20 football team finished top of Group B in the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bangladesh U-20 in their final group-stage encounter.
Coming into the match on the back of a dominant 3-0 victory over Pakistan U-20, the Blue Colts needed just a solid performance to secure their place at the summit and they delivered under pressure.
India started brightly and took the lead in the 16th minute through Vishal Yadav, who rose highest to head home a well-delivered corner from Omang Dodum. The early goal set the tone for an intense contest between the two sides.
The match, however, turned increasingly physical as both teams committed multiple fouls, disrupting the flow of the game. Tensions also spilled over to the sidelines, with both coaches being shown red cards during a heated phase of the first half.
Bangladesh responded just before the break, capitalizing on a corner in added time to level the score at 1-1, ensuring the game remained finely poised heading into the second half.
Despite chances at both ends after the restart, neither side could find a winner, and the match ended in a stalemate.
The result was enough for India to top the group, thanks to their superior performance highlighted by the earlier 3-0 win over Pakistan.
India U-20 tops Group B after hard-fought draw against Bangladesh U-20
| Position | Team | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | GD | Points |
| 1 | India | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 4 |
| 2 | Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 0 |
Following the 1-1 draw against Bangladesh, the Blue Colts have officially finished top of Group B in the SAFF U-20 Championship and progressed to the knockout stage.
Both India and Bangladesh ended the group stage with four points each, having secured a win and a draw from their two matches.
However, India’s superior goal difference boosted by their commanding 3-0 victory over Pakistan ensured that the Blue Colts claimed the top spot, with Bangladesh settling for second place.
Pakistan, having suffered defeats in both their matches, finished third in the group and were eliminated from the competition.
| Position | Team | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | GD | Points |
| 1 | Nepal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 7 |
| 2 | Bhutan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Maldives | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
Following the conclusion of the Group A fixtures, Nepal U-20 have finished at the top of the table and secured qualification for the knockout stage of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026.
Nepal remained unbeaten throughout the group stage, registering two wins and one draw to accumulate seven points from their three matches.
Bhutan U-20 claimed the second spot with four points, recording one win, one draw, and one defeat, which was enough to see them progress to the next round.
Sri Lanka U-20, despite managing one win, finished third with three points after losing two of their matches, while Maldives U-20 ended at the bottom of the table with two points, bowing out of the competition without a win.
Top goal scorers after India U-20 vs Bangladesh U-20
- Mohamed Ilan Imran (Maldives) – 3 Goals
- Vishal Yadav (India) – 2 Goals
- Omang Dodum (India) – 2 Goals
- Ronan Sullivan (Bangladesh) – 2 Goals
- Subash Bam (Nepal) – 2 Goals
Upcoming fixture for the Blue Colts
India U-20 will now take on Bhutan U-20 in the semi-final of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026, setting up an exciting clash between the Group B table-toppers and the Group A runners-up.
The Blue Colts head into the knockout fixture with strong momentum after an unbeaten group stage campaign, and will be aiming to continue their impressive run and secure a place in the final.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.