In the second semifinal of the SAFF U-16 Championship, which took place today at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bangladesh overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat Pakistan by a score of 2-1. This victory propelled Bangladesh into the final for the first time in five years.
India, who has won the tournament four times before, advanced to the championship game by dominating Maldives 8-0 in the first semifinal match of the day. Bangladesh will face India in the championship game on Sunday.
After Pakistan had taken an early lead thanks to Abdul Ghani’s goal, Bangladesh responded with two goals in the first half thanks to Murshed Ali and Abu Sayed. This was Bangladesh’s first appearance in the regional event in the previous five years.
Since Bangladesh won the second trophy in 2018, they have not been able to qualify for the final in the following two editions (2019 and 2022), but this time the charges of Saiful Islam Moni have their sights set on winning it again.
The guys in red and green had a good chance to take the lead in the very first minute of the match, but Swe Mong Sing Marma’s attempt from close range was blocked by a Pakistani defender just in front of the goal.
However, against the run of play, Bangladesh allowed Ghani to score the game’s first goal in the sixth minute. Ghani took advantage of a through pass that split the Bangladeshi defense and expertly chipped the ball over the head of Bangladeshi goalkeeper Nahidul Islam.
Murshed scored for Bangladesh in the 14th minute when he headed a well-judged cross from Sayed. Sayed then scored the second goal of the match for Bangladesh in the 29th minute when he drove a low cross from captain Nazmul Huda Faisal. Bangladesh did not wait long to respond after Pakistan’s goal.
Pakistan applied some pressure to the defense of Bangladesh, who, while missing some opportunities to score goals, were able to walk off the field smiling. Pakistan, on the other hand, applied some pressure to the defense of Bangladesh.