U-16 SAFF Cup: India beat Nepal to reach finals

The India Under-16 boys beat hosts Nepal 4-2 on penalties after the match had ended one-all in regulation time to reach the finals of the inaugural Under-16 SAFF Cup being played at the Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu. In the finals India are set to face Pakistan, who beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the other semifinal.



The final on Wednesday, August 10 will be a rematch of the opening game which India had lost 0-1 against Pakistan, while Nepal will face Bangladesh in the third place playoff.



It was the home side who drew first blood of the match in the 20th minute with Rishi Thapa scoring off a goalmouth melee, while Indian substitute Nitin Jyal restored parity at the fag end of the match with seconds remaining.



Both the teams started the match on the aggressive note knowing that a place in the final was at stake. India had more of the initial exchanges with striker Vanlalduatsanga's first shot saved off the line by the rival goalkeeper while a few minutes later his shot from inside the box could only find the Nepali custodian. Against run of play, Nepal took the lead in the 20th minute through Rishi Thapa. The Indians didn't crumble under pressure and kept on creating chances. Daniel could have scored the equaliser in the 22nd minute, but his right footer was just wide of the woodwork.



Nepal went for the breather with a 1-0 precarious lead and had chances to increase their lead in the second half. Nepal captain Heman Gurung's free-kick from outside the box hit the woodwork, while on the other side Vanlalduatsanga, Raja Rawat and Suman Saha missed sitters for India. As it looked that Nepal would win and move into the final it was substitute Nitin Jyal, who came in for Germanpreet, who scored the equaliser in the dying minutes of the match.



In the penalty shootout the Indian boys kept their cool. Vanlalduatsanga, Suman Saha, Myron Mendes and Harmanjot Singh scored for India with Lalrammuana hitting the crossbar. The penalty shootout hero was goalkeeper Supratim Bhattacharya who saved two penalties, but he also had kept India in the match with some great saves.



A satisfied India Under-16 coach Thomas Joseph was once again all praise for his boys and said, "I am extremely happy with their performance. They played their heart out and showed character. Also we missed so many chances, but nevertheless it is part and parcel of the game and we hope to continue with the same momentum against Pakistan in the finals."