2-0 down, Bangladesh's dream of reaching the final faded. But a last-minute extra-time goal dramatically tied the scoreline at 2-2. Then straight tiebreaker. Bangladesh reached the final of SAFF U-17 tournament today by defeating Pakistan 8-7 in the tiebreaker. Bangladesh will face India in the final on September 30. India beat Nepal 4-2 in the first semi-final today.
Bangladesh coach Saiful Bari picked up goalkeeper Nahidul Islam and sent Alif Rahman Imtiaz to the field just before the final whistle at the Thimpur Changlimithan Stadium. The Bangladesh goalkeeper stopped the eighth shot taken by Pakistan's Abdul Ghani in the tiebreaker. Then Ashiqur Rahman scored in the eighth shot and took Bangladesh to the final. The two goals that brought Bangladesh back into the match were also scored by two substitutes. Coach Saiful Bari's player substitution decisions have come in handy.
It was disappointing for Pakistan to lose in the end despite leading by two goals. They scored 9 goals in three group stage matches. Pakistan scored 1-0 in 32 minutes against Bangladesh today. Shahab Ahmed scored Pakistan's goal with a header from a corner. In the 60th minute, when a Bangladeshi defender caught the ball in the box, Pakistan's left back Abdul Rehman made it 2-0 easily from the penalty. Bangladesh substitute Mohammad Manik made it 2-1 in the 75th minute. In the fourth minute of the added 7 minutes, Bangladesh dramatically returned to the match with Manik's goal. He had no problem gently pushing the ball to a teammate in the box.
Bangladesh did not win any of the two matches in the group stage. Lost to India 1-0, followed by a 1-1 draw with Maldives. After this draw, Bangladesh's progress to the semi-finals was uncertain. But as Maldives lost to India by a big margin (3-0), Bangladesh's luck opened up. And today Bangladesh has written a great comeback story despite falling behind by two goals in the semi-final. Smiled the smile of victory in the tiebreaker.
1709.941 SRY