Itanagar, May 16: The Indian U19 football team is set to face the Maldives in the semi-final of the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Itanagar on Friday. The knockout match comes amid persistent rainfall and fluctuating weather conditions in the region, adding an extra layer of challenge for both sides.

India progressed to the semi-finals with commanding victories over Sri Lanka (8-0) and Nepal (4-0), finishing at the top of Group B. The Maldives, although winless in Group A, showed resilience by securing 2-2 draws against both Bangladesh and Bhutan, earning a place in the semi-finals.

India head coach Bibiano Fernandes praised the Maldives’ fighting spirit while emphasizing his team’s focus. “They’ve shown great character by coming from behind in both matches. We must remain focused, humble, and play to our strengths,” he said.

With knockout rules in place, the match will go straight to penalties if tied after 90 minutes. Historically, India has enjoyed complete dominance over the Maldives in SAFF youth tournaments, winning all nine previous encounters, including a 3-0 win in the SAFF U17 Championship 2024. Ten players from that squad are part of the current team.

Fernandes also acknowledged the impact of weather in Itanagar. “We’ve adjusted our training accordingly and are prepared for all conditions. It’s about staying disciplined and adapting quickly,” he noted.

Maldives coach Ahmed Shakir said the changing weather has posed challenges for his team. “The climate is very different from what we’re used to. Still, the boys have shown heart and are ready to compete,” he said.

Both coaches highlighted the role of crowd support, with Fernandes calling the home fans in Arunachal “a major source of motivation” for the young Indian players. India has so far netted 12 goals through six different players, underlining their balanced attack heading into the crucial tie.