Jamaica secured their place in the final thanks to Courtney Clarke’s early goal in the eighth minute and Kaheim Dixon’s solo effort in the 78th minute, according to a press release from AIFF Media.

India will face Zimbabwe in the third-place play-off on May 30 at 19:00 IST, after Zimbabwe lost to Nigeria in the first semi-final on Tuesday. Nigeria will compete against Jamaica in a repeat of last year’s final.

The match featured notable individual milestones, with Noufal PN and Ricky Shabong making their senior national team debuts, while Edmund Lalrindika started for India for the first time.

The Blue Tigers, playing their first match on British soil since 2002, conceded early when Jamaica quickly countered and Clarke intercepted a loose pass to score a powerful strike into the top-right corner. Jamaica, ranked 71st in FIFA Rankings, continued to attack confidently, with Dixon nearly doubling the lead in the 17th minute before being denied by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

India gradually stabilized but lacked creativity in the final third, with Ryan Williams, Chhangte, and Lalrindika unable to influence the game significantly, and reached half-time without seriously threatening Jamaica’s goalkeeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke.

After the break, India showed more urgency. In the 53rd minute, Roshan capitalized on a defensive mistake and played Rahim Ali through, but Ali was offside, invalidating Chhangte’s subsequent finish into an empty net. This chance shifted momentum, and India pressed higher, putting Jamaica under pressure during their best period in the match.

However, Dixon ended India’s hopes in the 78th minute with a skilful solo run and a low shot through Akash Mishra’s legs, securing Jamaica’s second goal. India’s resistance diminished thereafter as Jamaica controlled the remainder of the game to reach the final.