SAFF U17 Championship: 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 leap to the top of Group B in the SAFF U-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 found the net via Muhammad Abdullah’s penalty in the 43rd minute and Hamza Yasir’s rebound strike in the 70th.
The early exchanges were balanced, but India looked the more composed side, attempting to exploit the gaps behind the Pakistan defence with clever movement and crisp passing. Their first clear chance came when Gangte slipped a neat through-ball into the path of Kamgouhao Doungel, but the latter’s effort was comfortably saved by Saamar Razzak in the Pakistan goal.India maintained their high press and forced errors in the Pakistan backline. One such moment of uncertainty from Razzak was nearly punished, as Gangte seized a poor clearance and attempted a lofted effort over the stranded keeper only for Razzak to recover and smother the danger.
