The Indian U-19 football team, fondly known as the Blue Colts, secured their place in the final of the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 with a commanding 3-0 win over the Maldives in the semifinal at the Golden Jubilee Stadium on Friday evening.
The victory, celebrated with joyous scenes on the pitch, set the stage for an exciting final showdown.
The match, which kicked off at 7:30 PM IST, saw India assert their superiority early on. Laishram Danny Meitei emerged as the hero of the night, scoring a brace in the 14th and 21st minutes to give India a comfortable lead.
Meitei, a 17-year-old midfielder from Manipur and a rising star with Sudeva Delhi FC II, displayed exceptional skill and composure, adding to his growing reputation.
Just two months ago, Meitei made history as the youngest goalscorer in Indian Super League history, netting a goal for Punjab FC in a 3-1 win over Hyderabad FC.
Complementing Meitei’s brilliance was Prashan Jai, who sealed the victory with a well-taken goal in the 45th minute, ensuring a clean sheet for India and a final scoreline of 3-0.
The Maldives, who finished as runners-up in Group A, struggled to match India’s intensity, with the Blue Colts dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the match.
India’s journey to the final has been nothing short of impressive. Under the guidance of head coach Bibiano Fernandes, the team topped Group B with a 4-0 thrashing of Nepal earlier in the tournament.
The Blue Colts have displayed a blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity, with an average of 4.67 goals per game recorded in the tournament as of May 13, highlighting the high-scoring nature of the competition.
The SAFF U-19 Championship 2025, in its 7th edition, features six teams divided into two groups. Group A consisted of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, while India was placed in Group B alongside Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Danny Meitei’s performance has drawn significant attention, not just for his goals but for his overall contribution to the team.
Hailing from Manipur, a state known for producing footballing talent, Meitei’s rise is a testament to India’s growing football infrastructure at the youth level.
His brace against the Maldives adds to the legacy of India’s U-19 team, which made headlines in 2018 by defeating Argentina’s U-19 side 2-1 in the COTIF Cup in Spain—a victory that earned praise from Argentina’s senior team manager, Lionel Scaloni.
The SAFF U-19 Championship 2025 final is poised to be an electrifying clash as India and Bangladesh prepare to face off for the coveted title.
India has been a dominant force en route to the final, topping Group B with an 8-0 thrashing of Sri Lanka, a 4-0 victory against Nepal, and a 3-0 semifinal triumph over the Maldives, highlighting their attacking flair.
Their defense has been equally impressive, maintaining a clean sheet throughout the tournament, a testament to their solid backline. Meanwhile, Bangladesh secured the top spot in Group A with a 2-2 draw against the Maldives and a 2-0 win over Bhutan, before narrowly defeating Nepal 2-1 in a hard-fought semifinal.
As defending champions, Bangladesh will face a stern challenge from India’s dynamic forward line, which could expose vulnerabilities in their defense.
However, Bangladesh’s disciplined tactics and sharp counter-attacking ability make them a tough opponent. With both teams undefeated in the tournament, the final is set to be a closely contested battle between India’s attacking depth and Bangladesh’s structured play, promising an unforgettable showdown.
