India U20 Tops Group B in SAFF After 1-1 Bangladesh Draw

India's U20 men's football team secured top spot in Group B at the SAFF U20 Championship 2026 after a 1-1 draw with Bangladesh on Saturday at the National Football Stadium in Malé, Maldives, ensuring their qualification for the semifinals following an earlier victory over Pakistan.

The Blue Colts began the tournament strongly on Thursday, defeating archrival Pakistan 3-0 in their opening Group B match. Vishal Yadav opened the scoring in the third minute with a close-range finish after a precise through ball from Gurnaj Singh. India dominated the second half, with Omang Dodum adding a brace in the 64th and 88th minutes to seal the win. The result not only gave India a perfect start but also eliminated Pakistan, who had lost their previous game 2-0 to Bangladesh. Goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam made crucial saves early on, helping maintain a clean sheet despite Pakistan's initial pressure.

With semifinal qualification already assured, India faced Bangladesh knowing a draw would clinch the group lead. The match started cautiously, with both teams probing for weaknesses. Bangladesh used the width of the pitch to test India's defense, but the backline stayed organized, conceding few...