SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh will look to break their title jinx when they come up against India in the final of Saff U-17 Championship at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. The match will begin at 6:30pm (Bangladesh Time).

Although Bangladesh clinched two youth titles of the regional championships -- U-16 and U-15 -- in their first final attempts, they never won the U-17 title despite playing back-to-back finals in 2023 and 2024 – losing to India 2-0 on both occasions.

The charges of Golam Rabbani Choton confirmed the final berth with three successive wins -- two in group stages and one in the semifinals -- without conceding a single goal. They have also played some scintillating football, raising hope of toppling six-time youth champions India.

“Boys are excited and motivated to play the final and they are fully prepared to take on India, who are a very good side,” Choton said. “If the boys can implement the game plan and remain united, then we will have a good chance to achieve our target.”

Replying to a query, Choton said, “India have always been a strong side at youth level and they are good in physic, transition, ball distribution, set pieces and quick attacks but we can have opportunities to catch them by utilising the big space behind their high-line defence.”