Colombo, September 25, 2025 — Pakistan’s spirited run at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U17 Championship came to an end on Thursday after a 2-0 semifinal defeat against Bangladesh at Colombo Racecourse Stadium.
The semifinal clash slipped away from Pakistan in the opening minutes, as Bangladesh stunned the Boys in Green with two back-to-back goals. Nazmul Huda struck in the 3rd minute, and Mohammad Rahman followed up just a minute later, putting Pakistan under immediate pressure. Despite rallying in the second half and creating opportunities, the young side could not overturn the early deficit.
This marks the second consecutive year that Pakistan have fallen to Bangladesh in the semifinals — last year it was on penalties, this time in open play. Their wait for a spot in the final, which they last achieved in 2018, continues.
A Campaign of Highs and Lows
Pakistan’s campaign in Colombo, however, showcased plenty of positives. Under head coach Nasir Ismail and supported by former captain Muhammad Essa, the team demonstrated attacking flair and resilience.
The tournament began brightly with a dominant 4-0 win over Bhutan, where Muhammad Abdullah netted a hat-trick and Hamza Yasir added another. Abdullah carried that form throughout, finishing as the competition’s top scorer heading into the knockout rounds with six goals.
Pakistan then overcame the Maldives 5-2 in a high-scoring encounter, with Mansoor Ahmed scoring a dazzling hat-trick and Abdullah adding two more. These victories secured their semifinal place after finishing second in their group, behind India.
Their only group-stage setback came against arch-rivals India in a thrilling 3-2 battle. Goals from Abdullah and Hamza Yasir were not enough to outpace India’s strike force, but the match stood out as one of the most entertaining of the group stages.
Recognition and Encouragement
Beyond the pitch, the team earned praise from Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Major General (R) Faheem Ul Aziz, who hosted the squad after their opening win. He hailed the young players’ spirit and the Pakistan Football Federation’s role in pushing for a revival of football in the country.
Looking Ahead
While the disappointment of falling short in the semifinals lingers, Pakistan’s young squad leaves Colombo with valuable experience and confidence. With talents like Abdullah and Mansoor Ahmed leading the charge, the foundations for future success appear strong.
For now, Pakistan’s U17 dream of lifting the SAFF title remains unfulfilled, but their 2025 campaign has underlined that a new generation of players is ready to take the game forward.