Ronan’s Panenka seals shootout win as Bangladesh beat India to regain U-20 SAFF title

Bangladesh regained the SAFF U-20 Championship title, beating India 4-3 on penalties after it ended goalless at full time in the final at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives on Friday.

The win ended a jinx against India as 2024 champions Bangladesh, who failed to beat their neighbours in three regional youth championship finals in 2019, 2022, and 2025, finally managed to break their rut. 

Exciting young talent Ronan Sullivan sealed the deal for Bangladesh with an audacious Panenka penalty after he saw his teammate Samuel Raksam hit the crossbar.