India U-17 beat Pakistan 3-2 in thrilling SAFF Championship clash

India U-17 men’s team defeated Pakistan 3-2 in a thrilling SAFF Championship match in Colombo. Rahan Ahmed scored the winner, while Gangte and Wangkheirakpam also scored. India topped Group B after a dramatic five-goal encounter with arch-rivals Pakistan

Hyderabad: In a gripping contest packed with drama and end-to-end football, the India U-17 men’s national team edged arch-rivals Pakistan 3-2 at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Monday to top Group B in the SAFF Under-17 Championship 2025. The match was tied 1-1 at half-time.

The clash saw substitute Rahan Ahmed deliver the winner in the 73rd minute to settle an enthralling five-goal thriller. India’s other goals came through Dallalmuon Gangte (31’) and Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam (63’), while Pakistan scored via Muhammad Abdullah’s penalty in the 43rd minute and Hamza Yasir’s rebound strike in the 70th.

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The early exchanges were balanced, but India looked more composed, attempting to exploit gaps behind the Pakistan defence with clever movement and crisp passing. Their first clear chance came when Gangte slipped a neat through-ball to Kamgouhao Doungel, but his effort was comfortably saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Saamar Razzak.

Just as India seemed in control, a defensive lapse allowed Pakistan back into the game. In the 43rd minute, Yasir’s darting run into the box was halted by Thonggoumang Touthang, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Muhammad Abdullah made no mistake from the spot, sending both sides into the interval level at 1-1.

India resumed the second half with renewed attacking intent. Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam tested the keeper with a dangerous free-kick, and Ahmed also came close, latching onto a Gangte lay-off, only to be denied again by Razzak.

The pressure finally paid off in the 63rd minute. Touthang delivered a slide-rule pass through the Pakistan defence, and Wangkheirakpam ghosted in to slot past the advancing keeper, restoring India’s lead.

But the game remained open. Seven minutes later, a speculative long-range effort from substitute Muhammad Awais was spilled by Baruah, and Yasir pounced on the rebound to make it 2-2.

Yet India was not done. In the 73rd minute, Azlaan Shah’s curling effort was parried by Razzak, only for Ahmed to react quickest, shrug off his marker, and calmly slot home the winner. India then managed the final phase smartly, holding on to claim a hard-fought 3-2 victory.