India U17 to take on Nepal in SAFF U17 Championship semi-final after a dominant group stage performance

India will play Nepal in the first semi-final on September 25.

After asserting their dominance in the group stage, India U27 Football Team are prepared to lock horns with Nepal in the first semi-final of the SAFF U17 Championship 2025. The match will kick off at 3:00 PM IST at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo.

The Blue Colts were the best side in their group as they trumped all the other opponents. However, except for the match against Maldives where India won with a 6-0 margin, the other fixtures have challenged the defending champions.

Also Read: Three best players for India from SAFF U17 Championship 2025 group stage

The Stakes

India U17

The closing group stage fixtures have been a wake-up call for India in the tournament. The Blue Colts could not find their rhythm against Bhutan and Pakistan. A 1-0 victory against Bhutan and a close contest against Pakistan must have made the defending champions realize that SAFF U17 Championship 2025 is not a walk in the park for them.

For India, it will be important to find an early goal in the semi-final, which will help them exert their dominance on the opposition. Bibiano Fernandes is preparing this team for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The last two results have not been remotely close to that level. But the semi-final clash will be an opportunity for India to redeem themselves.

Nepal U17

The group stage campaign had a mixed bag of results for Nepal. A comfortable 2-0 victory over the hosts, Sri Lanka, in their tournament opener could not be followed up by another notable performance. Bangladesh thrashed Nepal in the second match with a 4-0 result to dampen their spirits.

The challenge will be more testing for Nepal in the semi-final. India have not been operating on the level that they were expected, but the Blue Colts are still a tough side to play against, evident from their unbeaten run in the tournament. If Nepal manage to pull off a win against India, that will secure their fifth appearance in the final of the SAFF U17 Championship.

Team News

Both teams will have their full-strength squad available for the game.

Probable Lineups

India U17

Manashjyoti Baruah, Denny Singh Wangkhem, Maldino Singh Yumnam, Shubham Poonia, Korou Meitei, Thonggoumang Touthang, Rahan Ahmed, Dallalmuon Gangte, Md Aimaan, Hrishikesh Manavathi, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam

Nepal U17

Ram Bahadur Bohara (GK), Prasanta Moktan, Anmol Karki, Digbijay Shahi, Ram Thami, Pratis Thapa Magar, Samir Kumar, Bhubani Kami, Sujan Syangtan, Krishta Bhandari, Nischal Magar

Player to watch out for

Rahan Ahmed (India)

India’s semi-final entry in the SAFF U17 Championship 2025 could become a reality because this player showed up whenever the team demanded something extraordinary. Rahan Ahmed has defined the term ‘super sub’ with his heroics in the tournament.

On two occasions, he rescued India from a desperate situation. Against Bhutan, when there were no signs of a goal coming for India, Rahan Ahmed stepped up to score just moments after his substitution. He did the same against Pakistan. His poacher’s finish secured a 3-2 victory for India over the arch-rivals. It will be worth observing if Bibiano gives him a start in the semi-final or brings him again from the bench.

Where to watch India vs Nepal in the SAFF U17 Championship 2025?

All the matches in the SAFF U17 Championship 2025 will be live-streamed on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel.

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