Sri Lanka vs India Preview, team news, lineup & prediction | SAFF U19 Championship 2025

The Blue Colts will be on the hunt for back-to-back SAFF U19 Championship titles.

The India U19 national team will be opening their SAFF U19 Championship 2025 campaign against the Sri Lanka U19 national team on May 9 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium.

The game set to take place on Friday in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, presents an exciting game between two units with distinct styles.

India U19, led by Bibiano Fernandes, will be looking to defend their crown with players like Danny Meitei and Omang Dodum in their ranks.

While the Simha Simhaya will be eager to give a good account of themselves, the squad possesses some promising overseas-based Sri Lankan nationals like Omith Edirisinghe and Ayman Zawahir.

The Stakes

Sri Lanka U19

A win will be essential for Sri Lanka U19, as they will be the underdogs going into their opening game. However, Sri Lanka U19 will have some aces up their sleeves against India U19, with a mix of local talent and overseas-based players.

A successful debut SAFF U19 Championships campaign will usher in a new chapter in youth football for the island nation. While they have lost their last eight games in friendlies, they will be looking to cause an early upset and set the marker in the competition.

India U19

India U19 will be the favourites when they take the field in their first group match against Sri Lanka U19. While they are expected to field a significantly stronger side with quality bench depth at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, a ground where they will enjoy home advantage with many supporters.

The Blue Colts are also reportedly looking sharp ahead of the game following three training games in Bengaluru against some good senior military teams. They will be facing an underdog Simha Simhaya side who will be gunning to prove themselves.

ALSO READ: Top 10 players to watch in SAFF U19 Championship 2025

Team and Injury News:

The Simha Simhaya are expected to have a fully fit squad ahead of the game. The Blue Colts are expected to have a fully fit squad ahead of the game.

Head-to-Head Record:

Total Matches Played – 1

Sri Lanka U19– 0 

India U19– 1

Draws – 0

Squads:

Sri Lanka U19

Goalkeepers: Anuk Shahiil Dassanayake, Nadal Aaron Senapala, Mohamed Rikas Muhammed

Defenders: Ayman Zawahir, Omith Edirisinghe, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Shahid, Mohammad Aashif, Roisan Bright

Midfielders: Vijayaratnam Haris, Hafeef Akram, Aidan Francis Perera, Mohamed Maziyad, Faris Umar, Abdallah Faiz, Zafarullah Zakariyya

Forwards: Rashad Shihab, Anupa Pabasara, Mohamed Hussain, Hussain Abdullah, Hirun Mirasha, Mohamed Katheem

India U19

Goalkeepers: Aarush Hari, Aheibam Suraj Singh, Alsabith Sulaiman Thekkekaramel, Rohit.

Defenders: Ashik Adhikari, Takhellambam Bungson Singh, Jodric Abranches, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Mohammed Kaif, Mukul Panwar, Nirbhay Singh, Pramveer, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, Thoungamba Usham Singh, Vumlenlal Hangshing, Sohum Utreja, Roshan Singh Thangjam, Karish Soram.

Midfielders: Ahongshangbam Samson, Danny Meitei Laishram, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Levis Zangminlun, Md Arbash, Ngamgouhou Mate, Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, Chaphamayum Rohen Singh, Singamayum Shami, Yohaan Benjamin, Lalruatfela.

Forwards: Bharat Lairenjam, Daniyal Makakmayum, Omang Dodum, Prashan Jajo, Vishal Yadav, Hemneichung Lunkim.

Players to Watch

Zafarullah Zakariyya (Sri Lanka U19)

The Manchester City Football Schools youth product has three international caps for Sri Lanka Under-17s to his name. Having made his debut on his 15th birthday against Bhutan in a South Asian Football Federation tournament, the expectations are high on Zafarullah to shine once again.

Since the tender age of three, Zafarullah dreamed of being a professional footballer, but he will now get an opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at the SAFF U19 Championships.

Danny Meitei (India U19)

India U19 have a real special talent up their sleeve for the upcoming SAFF U19 championship in the form of midfielder Danny Meitei. The NorthEast United FC youngster has already made his debut in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the age of 17 and will be raring to help his national team retain their SAFF U-19 Championship title.

Apart from scoring a whopping 12 goals for NorthEast United FC in the 2025 RFDL, Danny proved his quality to deliver goals from midfield. He’ll be an energetic and driving figure for India U19, as he will be pulling the strings in midfield and tormenting opponents.

Telecast Details:

The match between Sri Lanka U19 and India U19 will take place at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, on Friday, May 9, 2025. It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be streamed live on Sportzworkz YouTube channel.

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