KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 27

India and Pakistan advanced to the U-19 SAFF Championship final here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

India defeated Nepal 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Pakistan edged past Bhutan in sudden death in the semi-final matches. The final is slated for Saturday.

Ashwin Ghorasainee and Kushal Deuba scored for Nepal, while India goalkeeper Lionel Daryl Rymmei saved shots from Prashant Laksam and Lachhu Thapa, and Bikram Tamang hit way above the post.

Arjun Singh Oinam, Gwgwmsar Goyary and Manglenthang Kipgen converted their kicks from the spot for India, while Nepal custodian Jiyarat Shekh denied Dinesh Singh Soubam and Ricky Meetei Haobam hit the post.

Earlier, India took the lead in the 26th minute capitalising on defensive error from Nepali defenders, who failed to clear the ball inside the box. Sahil Khurshid met the ball and slotted past Nepali goalkeeper Shekh. Nepal levelled the scores in the 74th minute when Samir Tamang headed home following a cross from Deepak Thapa Magar.

In another semi-final match, Pakistan beat Bhutan in sudden death after both the games failed to score in regulation period and they remained deadlocked at 5-5 in tie-breaker. Pakistan made it to the final in their first appearance in U-19 SAFF Championship.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 28, 2023, of The Himalayan Times