Bangladesh reach final after thrilling tiebreaker win over Pakistan
Despite not winning any matches in the group stage, Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals of the SAFF U-17 Championship. However, they made a remarkable comeback with brilliant football in the last four. Bangladesh will face India in the final battle for the title next Monday.
Bangladesh advanced to the final of the SAFF U-17 Championship after a dramatic comeback and tiebreaker win over Pakistan.
Despite not winning any matches in the group stage, Bangladesh put on an impressive performance in the semi-final, setting up a clash with India on Monday for the championship title.
Bangladesh had a lackluster group stage, with one loss and one draw, barely advancing to the semi-finals on goal difference. However, they bounced back strongly in the semi-final, writing a comeback story against Pakistan. Despite falling behind, Bangladesh leveled the match and eventually triumphed 8-7 in a tense tiebreaker, booking their spot in the final.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
In Saturday's second semi-final, held at Bhutan's Changlimithang Stadium, Bangladesh overcame Pakistan in a long tiebreaker that ended 8-7. The match had finished 2-2 after regular time. Mithu Chowdhury and Rifat Kazi scored for Bangladesh in the 90-minute contest, while Shahab Ahmed and Abdul Rehman netted for Pakistan, with Rehman converting from a penalty.
In the tiebreaker, Pakistan's Abdul Rehman, Abdul Samad, Abis Reza Kazmi, Khobaib Khan, and Ubaid Ullah Khan all scored from the spot. Bangladesh responded with successful penalties from Morshed Ali, Joy Ahmed, Komol Mridha, Siam Amit, and Mohammad Manik, leaving the score tied at 5-5.
During the sudden-death round, Majid Ali and Sharaf Khan scored for Pakistan, while Akash Ahmed and Mithu Chowdhury kept Bangladesh alive. The turning point came when Bangladesh's substitute goalkeeper Alif Rahman Imtiaz saved Abdul Ghani's shot, allowing Ashiqur Rahman to convert the decisive penalty and send Bangladesh into the final.
Bangladesh's group stage performance had been far from ideal. They began the tournament with a 1-0 loss to India and then drew 1-1 with the Maldives. However, thanks to a smaller margin of defeat against India, they edged into the semi-finals on goal difference after Maldives lost 3-0 to India in their final group game. Bangladesh will now face India again for the title on Monday.
