Group winners India and Nepal advance to meet Bhutan and Bangladesh

The group stage of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 in Malé concluded with Nepal topping Group A (7 points), followed by Bhutan (4), Sri Lanka (3), and Maldives (2). In Group B, India (4 points) finished first on goal difference, with Bangladesh (4) second, and Pakistan eliminated with zero points. Bangladesh secured a 1-1 draw against India to advance, with goals from Vishal Yadav (17th minute) for India and Md Abdul Riyad Fahim (stoppage time first half) for Bangladesh. Tensions flared as India goalkeeping coach Sandip Nandy and Bangladesh head coach Mark Edward Cox were sent off. Semi-finals: Nepal vs Bangladesh and India vs Bhutan on Wednesday.

The group stage of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 in Malé concluded with Nepal topping Group A (7 points), followed by Bhutan (4), Sri Lanka (3), and Maldives (2). In Group B, India (4 points) finished first on goal difference, with Bangladesh (4) second, and Pakistan eliminated with zero points. Bangladesh secured a 1-1 draw against India to advance, with goals from Vishal Yadav (17th minute) for India and Md Abdul Riyad Fahim (stoppage time first half) for Bangladesh. Tensions flared as India goalkeeping coach Sandip Nandy and Bangladesh head coach Mark Edward Cox were sent off. Semi-finals: Nepal vs Bangladesh and India vs Bhutan on Wednesday.

The group stage of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 in Malé concluded with Nepal topping Group A (7 points), followed by Bhutan (4), Sri Lanka (3), and Maldives (2). In Group B, India (4 points) finished first on goal difference, with Bangladesh (4) second, and Pakistan eliminated with zero points. Bangladesh secured a 1-1 draw against India to advance, with goals from Vishal Yadav (17th minute) for India and Md Abdul Riyad Fahim (stoppage time first half) for Bangladesh. Tensions flared as India goalkeeping coach Sandip Nandy and Bangladesh head coach Mark Edward Cox were sent off. Semi-finals: Nepal vs Bangladesh and India vs Bhutan on Wednesday.

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