SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh will be up against a formidable Indian side when they look to defend their title of the SAFF U-19 Championship in the final at the in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh today.

The title-deciding fixture between the two unbeaten sides will kick off at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia at 7:30pm Bangladesh time.

The men in red and green, who had won the title of the SAFF U-20 Championship last year, have set their sights on the title again after edging past a gritty Nepal side 2-1 in the semifinals on Friday.

Bangladesh’s inspirational skipper Nazmul Huda Faisal, who racked up a goal and an assist in each of the three matches, said they are determined to win the title despite having utmost respect about the quality of the opposition.

“We didn’t face each other in this tournament before. So it will be new for both teams, not a problem though,” Faisal said at the pre-final press conference yesterday.

“We were confident about our team and the players since the first match of the tournament. Since it’s India in the final, so it will be a bit different,” Faisal said. “We respect India as a good team. But we will try to give our 100 percent to achieve our target.”

The hosts have been flawless in the tournament so far, having racked up 15 goals in three matches without conceding any.

India coach Bibiano Fernandes showed respect to his opponents too, but said they were fully prepared for the final.

“They [Bangladesh] have shown good character in the semifinals, beating Nepal. We respect that. We will prepare from our side and get ourselves ready and make sure we give best efforts in the final,” Fernandes said.