Bangladesh regained the SAFF Under-20 Championship title by beating four-time champions India 4-3 on penalties after the regulation time of the 8th edition final ended goalless at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives, on Friday.

The shootout drama began with Bangladesh goalkeeper Ismail Hossain Mahin saving India’s opening attempt, immediately handing Bangladesh the advantage.

Although Samuel Raksam struck the crossbar to momentarily revive Indian hope, tournament’s top scorer Omang Dodum blazed over to restore Bangladesh’s upper hand.

With the match tied on 3-3 all the Bangladesh hopes laid on US-based midfielder Ronan Sullivan and he delivered in style.

Showing nerves of steel, Ronan executed an audacious panenka, sending the Indian goalkeeper the wrong way to put the ball into the net and give Bangladesh their second SAFF U-20 title.

The first time Bangladesh won the tournament was in 2024 when they beat hosts Nepal by 4-1 goals.

The final was a tense, high-intensity affair from the outset. India enjoyed more possession early on, with Vishal Yadav and Rohen probing the Bangladesh defence.

However, goalkeeper Mahin stood firm, producing crucial interventions, including a brave block in stoppage time to keep the scores level.

Bangladesh, backed by local crowd, relied on quick transitions and wing play. Ronan was at the heart of several attacks, whipping in dangerous crosses, while Md Manik and Mursed Ali stretched the Indian backline.

Captain Mithu Chowdhury came close with a header in the first half, but neither side could find the breakthrough.

As fatigue crept in during the second half, the contest grew increasingly physical. Both teams had half-chances — India from a goalmouth scramble and Bangladesh through a late counter — but defenders held their nerve, forcing the final into penalties with no extra-time played.

Under head coach Mark Cox, Bangladesh not only showed tactical discipline but also remarkable composure under pressure.

For Bangladesh, however, this was a night of redemption, resilience and a new generation announcing itself as champion.

This was the fourth time that Bangladesh and India faced off each other in the final of the competition since its inception in 2015.

Bangladesh, who played in the final five times earlier were denied the title by India three times in 2019, 2022, and 2025.

In the group stage of this year’s tournament, Bangladesh held India to a 1-1 draw after starting their Group B campaign with a 2-0 win over Pakistan.

Bangladesh advanced to the final after a solitary goal win over four-team group A champions Nepal in the semi-finals, while India crushed Group A runners-up Bhutan 5-0 in the other semi-final.