Hosts India clinched the SAFF U-20 Championship title for the 2nd consecutive time beating last time runners-up Bangladesh by 5-2 goals in the final at the Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneswar, India on Friday night.
With the day's feat, hosts India not only clinched the SAFF U-20 Championship title for the 2nd consecutive time after 2019 but also took sweet revenge for their 1-2 goals defeat against Bangladesh in the league basis match, reports UNB.
The match was locked in 1-1 goals in the first half and was again locked in 2-2 goals in the stipulated 90-minute that forced the final to a 30-minute extra session.
In the day's keenly contested final, Gurkirat Singh made a hattrick scoring four goals in the 2nd, 60th, 93rd and 99th minutes while Himanshu Jhangta netted another goal for India in the 92nd minute
With the day's feat, Gurkirat Singh emerged as the highest scorer and most valuable player of the meet. Indian custodian Som Kumar was named as the best goalkeeper while Sri Lanka team was adjudged the most disciplined team.
In the stipulated time of the final, Gurkirat put hosts India ahead in the very 2nd minute of the match from a penalty (1-0).
Rajon Howlader levelled the margin for Bangladesh in the 45th minute with a straight shot from a goalmouth melee, utilizing a brilliant pass of right winger Rafiqul Islam (1-1).
Bangladesh took lead from behind in the 48th minute when Shahin Mia found the Indian net with a good shot from a melee (2-1).
Gurkirat Singh leveled the margin for India in the 60th by a low shot from danger zone after receiving a ball from mouth melee (2-2) to lock the match 2-2 in the schedule period.
In the extra session, Himanshu Jhangta again put India ahead in the 92nd minute while Gurkirat Singh added two goals within just six minutes guiding India to their 2nd crown.
Bangladesh team, which is yet to win the SAFF U-20 title (previously known as SAFF U-19 and U-18 meet) lost three consecutive finals --first against Nepal in 2017 in Bhutan, 2nd and 3rd against India in 2019 and 2022.
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