Kathmandu, Aug. 27: Bangladesh eliminated defending champion India in the penalty shootout and set up the final showdown with host Nepal in the SAFF U20 Championship 2024.

Substitute goalie Mohammed Aasif saved the two crucial spot kicks as Bangladesh beat India 4-3 in the penalty. 

This will be Bangladesh’s second consecutive final appearance at the event. Maruful Haque boys lost the final match against India by 2-5 in the 2022 edition of SAFF U20 held in India. 

Host Nepal also entered the final defeating Bhutan 4-1 in a tiebreaker. 

As the regulation 90 minutes finished in a 1-1 stalemate, the penalty shootout decided the match’s fate. 

Bangladesh took the lead in the first half with a goal from Asadul Molla in the 36th minute, ending the clean sheet of Indian shot-stopper Priyansh Dube in the tournament. 

A cross from the left by Mohammed Rabby Hossen Rahul found Bangladesh’s Asadul Molla inside the box, who scored with a well-placed volley. 

India, however, fought back in the other half to find the equalizer. They managed to level with a goal from Ricky Meetei Haobam in the 75th minute. 

Substitute Naoba Meitei Pangambam provided a well-timed pass on the left, allowing Ricky to calmly slot a low shot past substitute Keeper Asif. 

Before the equalizer, Bangladesh goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan collided with an Indian attacker and was forced to be carried off the field due to injury in the 69th minute. He was replaced by Mohammad Asif.

After cancelling out Bangladesh’s lead, Indian boys came up with as many attacks but to no avail. The finishing part was once again a concern for Ranjan Chaudhuri’s boys. 

Bangladesh were reduced to 10 men following a double yellow card for Kamacai Marma Aky in the injury time (90+5 minutes) of the second half.

The match proceeded to the penalty shootout after no further goal was possible in the remaining minutes.

Second-choice custodian Aasif thwarted the kick of Thanglalsoun Gangte and Akash Tirkey to steer Bangladesh into the final for the first time. Aasif replaced Mehdi Hasan Srabon in the 69th minute.

Paramveer, Gwgwmsar Goyary and Manjot Singh Parmar found the net for India.

Piyash Ahmmed Nova, Moinul Islam Moin, Shakil Ahad Topu and Captain Ashraful Haque Asif were perfect with their kick sending Indian keeper Priyansh Dube on the wrong side.  

The final will be held at ANFA Complex ground on Wednesday.