Bangladesh showed a spirited performance to beat Pakistan 8-7 on penalties in the semifinal of the SAFF U-17 Championship in Thimphu, Bhutan, on September 28.
Having done so, the youngsters of Bangladesh set up a final clash against defending champions India.
Bangladesh initially was 0-2 down but staged a remarkable fightback to confirm the final berth.
They conceded the first goal in the 32nd minute when Shahab Ahmed netted it with a header from Subhan Karim’s corner.
Pakistan then doubled the lead after the hour mark as Abdul Rehman found the net, leaving Bangladesh shockingly.
Substitute Mithu Chowdhury reduced the margin in the 74th minute. According to a report by BSS, Mohammad Manik took the game into penalties with another goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
However, drama unfolded as the first seven shots from each side were victorious.
Goalkeeper Alif Rahman Imtiaz then came up as Bangladesh’s rescuer. He made a brilliant save against Pakistan’s Abdul Ghani before Ashiqur Rahman converted Bangladesh’s eighth attempt to take the side into the final.
India crushed Nepal 4-2 in the first semifinal earlier in the day.
Representative Photo (BSS).
