Pakistan stun host Nepal, India start title defence with win

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 22: India began their title defence in the SAFF U-19 Championship with a resounding 3-0 victory over Bangladesh on Thursday. However, Nepal’s campaign started on a disappointing note as they suffered a 0-1 defeat against Pakistan at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu.

In the second match of the championship, Pakistan managed to stun the home team with a lone goal scored by Ali Zafar in the 77th minute. Despite playing in front of partisan crowds, Nepal failed to equalize and suffered a defeat.

Nepal, however owed a debt of gratitude to their goalkeeper and captain, Jiyarath Sheikh, whose heroic saves prevented Pakistan from scoring in the first half of the game. Despite their early dominance, Pakistan was repeatedly denied by Sheikh’s excellent saves, including his denial of Shahjahan’s free kick in the 27th minute. Additionally, in the 33rd minute, Sheikh denied two strikes from Muhammad Adeel and Mohammad Haroon. Adeel had a clear chance to score in the 34th minute, but his shot went wide. In the 40th minute, Sheikh made another crucial save, this time from Shahjahan’s long-range shot. Haroon’s shot from inside the box went wide in the 45th minute. Despite all of Sheikh’s efforts, Pakistan finally broke through in the 77th minute when Zafar’s screamer finally beat Sheikh to score the winner.

Nepal pressed hard for the equaliser but to no avail. Deepak Thapa Magar’s long range shot could not get the direction of the post in the 90th minute. Sujan Dangol could have made the difference in the stoppage time but disappointingly his shot to the corner ball went wide. Nepal next plays against the Maldives on September 25. Before Nepal, Pakistan will clash with the Maldives on September 23. 

India started their quest for a third consecutive title in the age-group regional tournament with a comfortable win against Bangladesh. Gwgwmsar Goyari, Noaba Pangambam, and Arjun Singh Oinam scored one goal each for India. 

India took the lead in the first minute of the game when Goyari controlled the cross from the right flank and scored easily. In the ninth minute, Bangladesh came close to an equalizer, but their captain Moinul Islam’s shot from outside the box was saved by Indian goalkeeper Lionel Daryl Rymmei before hitting the post. Razu Ahmed’s shot hit the crossbar in the 40th minute.

Defending champions India doubled their lead against the run of play in the stoppage time of the first half. Naoba stole the ball from the Bangladeshi defender and smashed it inside Bangladesh’s post. 

Although two-time runners-up Bangladesh had several goal-scoring opportunities, they failed to score. India sealed the match in the 90th minute with a goal from Oinam, who slotted in a pass from his captain Ishaan Shishodia. 

With this win, India earned three points in Group B and will face Bhutan in their next match, as will Bangladesh.