Celebrations broke out at Malé Stadium as Ronan Sullivan scored the winning penalty in the shootout against India, handing Bangladesh the SAFF U-20 Championship title. The stadium erupted with joy as players and supporters alike celebrated the dramatic victory, marking a moment of national pride for Bangladeshi football.
A key figure in this historic win was goalkeeper Ismail Hossain Mahin, whose outstanding performances throughout the tournament were vital. Mahin’s crucial save of India’s first penalty in the shootout created the opening for Bangladesh to seize the lead. Remarkably, he conceded just one goal in the entire competition, a consistency that earned him the “Best Goalkeeper” award.
Reflecting on the victory, Mahin said, “Stopping that first shot was extraordinary. It felt like we were fulfilling the dreams of every Bangladeshi, nearly 200 million people.”
For Mahin, the triumph was especially sweet. Last year, Bangladesh had narrowly lost to India in the U-19 final in Arunachal Pradesh. He dedicated the championship to a close friend, Ashik, remarking, “I miss my friend Ashik a lot. We played together in this tournament, and I dedicate this trophy to him.”
The team also acknowledged the fervent support of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives. Captain Mithu expressed his gratitude, saying, “Our fans gave us incredible support at every match. This trophy belongs to them as much as it does to us.” The U-20 squad unanimously dedicated their victory to the nation, celebrating with pride for their country.
Among the tournament’s most exciting players was Ronan Sullivan, the American-born forward. Across four matches, he scored two goals and provided one assist, ultimately delivering the decisive penalty in the final shootout. However, the Top Scorer award went to India’s Omang Dudum and Maldives’ Ilan Imran Tauhid, both netting three goals each.
The Fair Play Award was presented to host nation Maldives, acknowledging their sportsmanship. The SAFF president, Kazi Salauddin, was absent from the award ceremony. SAFF continues its tradition of rotating age-group competitions annually, with Bangladesh previously claiming the U-20 title in 2024 by defeating Nepal.
SAFF U-20 Tournament Awards
| Award | Player / Team | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Best Goalkeeper | Ismail Hossain Mahin (Bangladesh) | Conceded only 1 goal |
| Top Scorer | Omang Dudum (India) | 3 goals |
| Ilan Imran Tauhid (Maldives) | Joint 3 goals | |
| Fair Play Award | Maldives (Host) | Exemplary conduct on the field |
Bangladesh’s U-20 team returns home as champions, their victory a testament to skill, teamwork, and the passionate support of fans both at home and abroad.