SAFF U19: India storms into final after thumping victory against Maldives, to face Bangladesh in title clash

Goals from Danny Meitei Laishram (14’), Omung Dodum (21’), and Prashant Jajo (66’) ensured a smooth passage to the title clash

HYDERABAD: Defending champions India marched into the final of the SAFF (under-19) football championship with a clinical 3-0 win against Maldives in the semifinal in front of a passionate home crowd and under pouring rain at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) on Friday.

Goals from Danny Meitei Laishram (14’), Omung Dodum (21’), and Prashant Jajo (66’) ensured a smooth passage to the title clash, as India once again maintained their perfect record — both in terms of wins and clean sheets.

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India will face Bangladesh, who went past Nepal 2-1 in the other semi-final, held earlier in the day.

The early breakthrough for India came in the 14th minute following a well-worked corner routine. Prashant Jajo floated in a teasing delivery from the left, and Danny Meitei connected sweetly with a left-footed volley that took a bounce and crashed into the back of the net. It was Meitei’s fifth goal of the tournament and yet another example of his clinical finishing.

India’s second goal was courtesy Jajo who once again played the architect, darting down the left wing before scooping the ball over the Maldives’ backline. Meitei smartly laid it off to local favourite Omung Dodum, who made no mistake from close range, giving India a 2-0 cushion heading into half-time.

Maldives found it difficult to carve open the Indian defence. When they did manage to get shots off, goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam was equal to the task.

The heavens opened up in the second half, drenching the pitch and making conditions tricky but India adapted well.

In the 65th minute, Jajo unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from outside the box. Maldives custodian Xahran Hassan Ziyad misjudged the pace of the shot and allowed the ball to slip through his hands — an unfortunate moment that sealed the contest at 3-0.

Results: Bangladesh 2 (Ashikir Rahman 74’, Nazmul Huda Faysal 81’) bt Nepal 1 (Sujan Dangol 87’).

India 3 (Danny Meitei 14’, Omung Dodum 21’, Prashant Jajo 66’) bt Maldives 0.