India oust Nepal to fix final date with Pakistan

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 28: India secured their place in the final against Pakistan in the Saff U19 Championship by defeating the hosts Nepal 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out at Dashrath Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

Sahil Khurshid scored the opening goal for India in the 26th minute, but Samir Tamang's equalizer for Nepal in the 74th minute sent the match into a penalty shoot-out. 

Nepal was unlucky in the tie-breaker as Ashwin Ghorasini and Kushal Deuba were the only player to find the net from their spot. Prashant Laksam and Lachhu Thapa's kicks were denied by Indian goalkeeper Lionel Daryl Rymmei, while Bikram Tamang's shot missed the target, disappointing the partisan crowds present at the stadium. 

In India's hard-fought victory, Arjun Singh Oinam, Gwgwmsar Goyary and Manglenthang Kipgen converted their spot-kicks. Dinesh Singh Soubam's strike was saved by Nepali keeper Jiyarat Shekh, and Ricky Meetei Haobam's shot hit the bar.

India took the lead in the 26th minute after the Nepali defence line failed to clear a long pass from the Indian midfield inside the box. Khurshid seized the opportunity to score the goal behind the Nepali goalkeeper Shekh.

Nepal bounced back in the game in the 74th minute with a stunning equalizer. Tamang's header to the lobbed cross off Deepak Thapa Magar levelled the score.

In the first semifinal of the day, Pakistan defeated Bhutan 6-5 in sudden death to enter the final in their maiden participation. After the regulation 90 minutes ended in a goalless stalemate, the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out. The shootout also ended in a 5-5 tie, and the result was decided by a sudden death, where Pakistan triumphed. 

Adeel Younas, Shah Jahan, Ali Zafar, Khurshid Alam, Muhammad Sadam and Kamil Ahmad Khan scored their respective penalties for Pakistan in the shoot-out. Kinzang Tenzin, Jigme Namgyel, Rinzin Dorji, Ugyen Dorji and Pema Zangpo scored for Bhutan. Tshetrim Pelzang's penalty was foiled by Pakistan's goalkeeper Sahil Gul.