Overview

• Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba, Azlaan Shah Kh and Diamond Singh Thokchom scored in the 61st, 80th and 90+4th minutes to seal India's semi-final victory.
• The defending champions enter the final at 4–0 in the tournament as they chase an 11th SAFF men’s youth title.
• Bangladesh reached the final by beating Pakistan 2-0 and had not conceded in the competition heading into the decider.
• India's largely debutant squad contrasts with Bangladesh's continuity, with only Azlaan Shah returning for India versus eight returnees for Bangladesh.
• Head coach Bibiano Fernandes highlighted the one-day turnaround and stressed discipline and intensity management, while captain Wangkhem Denny Singh targeted outthinking Bangladesh's physical style.