Bangladesh vs Nepal preview, team news, lineup & prediction | SAFF U19 Championship 2025 Semifinal

The Bengal Tigers will be looking to upset the Young Gorkhalis on Friday.

The Bangladesh U19 national team will be hoping to upset all the odds in the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 campaign when they face the Nepal U19 national team on May 16 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium.

The game set to take place on Friday in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, presents an exciting game between two teams who promise to put on a goal-fest of a game.

Bangladesh U19, led by Golam Rabbani Choton, will be looking to storm their way into the Final with players like Nazmal Huda Faysal, and Abdul Kadir in their ranks.

Nepal U19, led by Urjan Shrestha, will be looking to reclaim their crown with players like Sujan Dangol and Pawan Parkhin in their ranks.

The Stakes

Bangladesh U19

A 3-0 win against Bhutan in their final Group A encounter has put the Bengal Tigers on the path to potentially play in the Final. Ahead of their semifinal game against Nepal, the fate of their future will be in their own hands, and a win is essential to stand any chance of progression.

They will be facing an underdog Young Gorkhalis side who will be gunning to prove themselves following their humbling 4-0 loss to India.

Nepal U19

The Young Gorkhalis will be looking to leave behind the bad impression from their final Group B encounter against India. They had decimated Sri Lanka 5-0 in their opening encounter, however, the Blue Colts gave them a harsh reality check. As one of the former winners, Nepal will be a formidable opposition against any team in the competition, including the Bengal Tigers.

While it’s been almost a decade since their last SAFF U19 Championship title win, the Young Gorkhalis will be facing an uphill battle against Bangladesh on Friday.

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Team and Injury News:

The Dragon Boys are expected to have a fully fit squad ahead of the game. The Bengal Tigers are expected to have a fully fit squad ahead of the game.

Head-to-Head Record:

This will be the first meeting between both sides in international competitions at the U19 level.

Squads:

Bangladesh confirmed squad for the SAFF U19 Championship 2025

Goalkeepers: Md Ismail Hossain Mahin, Md Nahidul Islam, Raj Chowdury

Defenders: Ashikur Rahman, Md Mithu Chowdhury, Md Sifat Sahariar, Md Abdul Riyad Fahim, Salah Uddin Sahed, Md Delwar, Sani Das

Midfielders: Md Kamal Merdha, Nazmal Huda Faysal, Md Siya Omit, Md Ratul Hasan, Samuel Raksam

Forwards: Abdul Kadir, Farzad Syed Aftab, Md Mursed Ali, Md Joy Ahamed, Sree Sumon Soren, Md Manik, Md Rifat Kazi, Ashik

Nepal confirmed squad for the SAFF U19 Championship 2025

Goalkeepers: Bhakta Bahadur Pariyar, Upendra Lwagun, Bishesh Baniya

Defenders: Roshan Tamang, Rohan Moktan, Prashant Moktan, Kushahang Nembang, Madan Paudel, Ram Thapa, Bijay Urba, Siddhant Khadka

Midfielders: Krishna Bahadur Ale, Krish Thapa Magar, Saroj Darlami, Lachhu Thapa, Sabin Kumar Lungeli Magar, Ranjeet Lama, Subash Bam, Bigyan Khadka

Forwards: Pawan Pakhrin, Dharbendra Kunwar, Sujan Dangol, Prasun Tamang

Players to Watch

Md. Rifat Kazi (Bangladesh U19)

Rifat Kazi has been one of the attacking threats as Bangladesh secured a 3-0 win against the Bhutan U19. His anticipation and ability to sniff out chances were on show against the Maldives in their first group game as his goal helped them race to a 2-0 lead in the first half.

While his efforts went in vain against the Maldives, he will be looking to find the net once again on Friday against Nepal in a must-win game.

Sujan Dangol (Nepal U19)

Dangol will be one of the brightest stars playing in this year’s SAFF U19 Championship. The Young Gorkhalis will be relying on his poacher instincts to beat the Bengal Tigers on Friday. Dangol made a good start to the tournament with a goal against Sri Lanka.

Dangol was the top scorer in the 2024 SAFF U17 Championship with four goals and will be in search of more in the U19 edition this year. The Nepal U19 striker will need to be in top form against Bangladesh to earn all three points.

Telecast Details:

The match between Bangladesh U19 and Nepal U19 will take place at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, on Friday, May 16, 2025. It will kick off at 3:30 PM IST. The match will be streamed live on Sportzworkz YouTube channel.

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