Colombo, Sept. 22 -- In a gripping contest packed with drama and end-to-end football, the India U-17 men's national team edged arch-rivals Pakistan 3-2 at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Monday, to leap to the top of Group B in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-17 Championship 2025. The match was tied 1-1 at half-time.

The clash saw substitute Rahan Ahmed deliver the winner in the 73rd minute to settle an enthralling five-goal thriller. India's other goals came through Dallalmuon Gangte (31') and Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam (63'), while Pakistan found the net via Muhammad Abdullah's penalty in the 43rd minute and Hamza Yasir's rebound strike in the 70th, as per a press release from the All India Football Federat...