Rohen brace helps India rout Bhutan 5-0, book SAFF Under-20 summit clash with Bangladesh

Rohen Chaphamayum’s brace helped India thrash Bhutan 5-0 and sail into the final of the SAFF Under-20 Championship 2026 at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives, on Wednesday.

The defending champions delivered a commanding performance filled with pace, precision and ruthless finishing, setting up a summit clash against Bangladesh on April 3 (Friday) after the latter defeated Nepal 1-0 in the other semifinal. The two sides met earlier in the group stage, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

Omang Dodum (4’) and Md Arbash (44’) scored in the first period before Rohen Chaphamayum (56’, 57’) bagged a second-half brace. Malemngamba Singh Thokchom (90+2’) also scored in injury-time.

India needed just four minutes to find the breakthrough after Rohen Chaphamayum latched onto a long ball down the right and delivered a precise cutback, which Omang Dodum calmly slid into the net to secure an early 1-0 lead.

The early breakthrough allowed India to dictate the tempo, maintaining possession and continuously pressing Bhutan’s defence. Vishal Yadav came close to doubling the advantage just four minutes later. However, his deft flick was deflected behind for a corner that ultimately came to nothing.

The defending champions delivered a commanding performance filled with pace, precision and ruthless finishing, setting up a summit clash against Bangladesh on April 3 (Friday) after the latter defeated Nepal 1-0 in the other semifinal. Pics: AIFF

Omang Dodum was at the heart of the action again in the 27th minute, bursting forward with pace before unleashing a shot that was saved by the goalkeeper.

Bhutan nearly found the equaliser 10 minutes later but a long-range lob struck the crossbar. They were made to pay for their miss a minute before half-time as Omang Dodum turned provider with a perfectly weighted pass for Md Arbash, who slotted into an empty net to send the Blue Colts into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Rohen to the fore

India scored their third of the night 11 minutes into the second half, courtesy of an Md Arbash cutback that Rohen Chaphamayum smashed into the net.

The Blue Colts made it 4-0 a minute later after Md Arbash played another through ball for Rohen Chaphamayum to find the bottom corner for his second goal of the night.

India controlled the remainder of the match with composure, limiting Bhutan to sporadic attacks while continuing to threaten on the counter. Malemngamba Singh Thokchom netted India’s final goal of the night in injury time to cap off a dominant display.

Result: India 5 (Omang Dodum 4′, Md Arbash 44’, Rohen Singh Chaphamayum 56’, 57’, Malemngamba Thokchom 90+2′) beat Bhutan 0.