Bangladesh will face Pakistan on 25 September in the semi-final of the SAFF Under-17 Championship after India defeated Pakistan 3-2 in a dramatic group stage clash in Colombo on Monday.
Both India and Pakistan had already secured their places in the knockout round from Group B, but the match was crucial in deciding the group leader. India’s victory left Pakistan in second place, meaning they will now meet Bangladesh in the first semi-final. The game will take place on 25 September at 3:30 pm local time. Later that evening, India will lock horns with Nepal in the second semi-final.
The two winners will progress to the final on 27 September, where the trophy will be up for grabs.
Bangladesh reached the last four in convincing fashion. On Sunday, Golam Rabbani Choton’s side outclassed hosts Sri Lanka with a commanding 4-0 win, a result that underlined their intent in the competition. The young squad displayed attacking flair and defensive discipline, giving them strong momentum ahead of the semi-finals.
While preparation remained key, the players were given a lighter day on Monday. Instead of field training, the team focused on recovery with swimming and gym sessions at their hotel. In the evening, captain Nazmul Huda Faysal and his teammates went to the stadium to watch the India-Pakistan encounter, gaining a first-hand look at their upcoming opponents.
The anticipation now builds for a highly charged semi-final between Bangladesh and Pakistan, two sides eager to write their names into the final of South Asia’s premier youth tournament. With confidence high after their big win over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will enter the match believing they can take another step towards the title.
