U-17 footballers return home after finishing runners-up

Bangladesh U-17 National Football Team arrived in Dhaka on Sunday after finishing as runners-up in the SAFF U-17 Championship 2025, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. BFF Executive Committee Members, Md. Sayeed Hassan Kanan and ShakhawatHossainBhuiya (Shahin) were present to welcome the players. Despite arousing some hope in the last moment, Bangladesh hope of winning the SAFF U-17 Championship crown vanished into blue as they finished runners-up after losing to India by 4-1 goals in penalty shootout in the nail-biting final held at Racecourse ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Saturday night. The match rolled in to tie breaker after the regulation time ended 2-2 draw.

In the tie breaker, India scored three goals from the first three shots. Bangladesh scored a goal from the third shot after missing the first two attempts. India converted the fourth shot ensuring their title in the tournament. Earlier, the early breakthrough came for India in the 3rd minute. Taking a cross from left wing DallmalmuonGangte perfectly executed the goal from the close range.

Bangladesh however staged a fight back following a well-worked corner routine. MohamadManik sent the ball home with a header from the handshake distance, after taking a head pass from his fellow mate Azim in the 24th minute.

India again took lead in the 39th minute of the match. Azlaan Shah scored the second goal with a left footer placing shot from the danger zone.
But IhsanHabibRiduan again brought back Bangladesh in the game seconds before the final whistle, leading the final towards the penalty shootout. It was the seventh occasion India won the age level title of the SAFF football after 2013, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.  Earlier, on way to the final, Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 2-0 goals in the first semifinal while India defeated Nepal by 3-0 goals in the second semis.

Bangladesh U-17 football team - AlifRahmanImtiaz, TasinSaheb, ChandroSaha, Ikramul Islam, Azam Khan, Md Raj, Sabbir Islam, Shadat Hossain, Tarek Hossain, Ishan Habib Riduan, Kamal Merdha, Namul Huda Faisal (captain), MdManik, RifatKazi, Ashik, OpuRahman, Ruhul Amin Akash, Akash Ahmed, Mohin Ahmmed, MdArif, Bayzit Bostami, Mahin Miah Sojib and Akash Ahammad.