India wins SAFF U-18 title for the first time
India’s U-18 football team defeated Bangladesh 2–1 for the first time in the final of the SAFF Under-18 Championship played in Kathmandu on Sunday. The Indian team took the lead in the second minute of the match with a goal from Vikram Pratap Singh but Yasin Arafat scored the equalizer for Bangladesh in the 40th minute.
Moments before the final whistle, Ravi Bahadur Rana scored a brilliant goal from 30 yards to make India the champion. Indian team’s head coach Floyd Pinto said, “I said that to be a SAFF champion would be an amazing performance and Ravi’s brilliant kick did the same for us.”
He said, ‘We were the best team in the tournament as well as the most effective team. I am very happy for these players. They have worked hard.’
Ninthoinganba Meetei of India was adjudged the best player of the tournament. Indian Football Federation President Praful Patel also congratulated the team. Patel said, ‘The team improved with every match. This win is a double delight for Indian youth teams. Last week, the under-16 team qualified for the AFC Championship.’
