SAFF Cup U-17 Boys Tournament: Sri Lanka lock horns with Nepal in opener today

SAFF U17 Boys Tournament team leaders with the tournament trophy 

By Susil Premalal

The 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup Under-17 Boys Tournament will officially begin today at 7:00 pm at the Race Course Ground in Colombo, following the regulations set by the SAFF competition committee. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has announced that all students from participating schools and spectators will be allowed free entry to watch the matches.
The tournament will feature teams from all member countries and run until September 27.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal will compete in Group ‘A’, while Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Pakistan will represent Group ‘B’.
Sri Lanka’s second match in the preliminary round is scheduled for September 21 against Bangladesh.
The Sri Lankan team is led by Ishaq Mohamed, a UAE-based Sri Lankan schoolboy, with Mohamed Zaid serving as vice-captain. At a media briefing in Colombo yesterday, team leaders and coaches from all participating countries assured they would give their best effort for victory.
Sri Lanka’s squad is considered one of the strongest in the tournament’s history, with the primary goal of qualifying for the semi-finals. Notably, Sri Lanka has never advanced past the semi-final stage in previous editions. The final preliminary round will take place on September 25, with the tournament final scheduled for September 27.
India enters the tournament as the defending champions, having secured their sixth title by defeating Bangladesh 2–0 in last year’s final (2024).
Sri Lanka Squad:
Ishaq Mohamed (captain), Mohamed Zaid (vice-captain), Shathin Shaheed, Thanusiyan Theiventhiran, Ashfak Ahmed, Muhammedh Irfan, Halik Ahamed, Tinusha Perera, Hiruna Sandev, Manula Pavan, Ahmed Aamish, Kevinash Sanjeewa Kumara, Aditha Menuhas, Mohamed Usman, Mohamed Rakan, Mohamed Rishad, Mohamed Nusraan, Irusha Marco, Zakariyya Zafarullah, Hamood Mohamed, Humaid Ahmed, Mohamed Adnan, Yahya Ramnaz.