Photo courtesy: AIFF Media
The India U-19 National Team progressed into the finals of the 2015 SAFF U-19 Championship on Thursday (August 27, 2015) as they defeated Bangladesh 4-3 on penalties after a goalless stalemate at the end of 90 minutes, at the ANFA HQ in Satdobato, Nepal.
The Indian colts now face Nepal in the Finals of the Championship, which is slated to kick-off on August 29, 2015 at the same venue.
Coming off a 3-0 win against Maldives in their last Group Stage match, the Indian team pressed from the whistle, as they searched for an early breakthrough.
In the 23rd minute, Daniel’s shot came agonizingly close to the goal. Two minutes later, a glitzy one touch passing move, which penetrated the Bangladeshi defence, was concluded with a shot straight at the opponent’s custodian.
Mounting pressure and disabling any Bangladeshi attacks with acute finesse, India started to control the tempo of the match.
A floated corner was met by a thumping header which flew whiskers over the bar in the 29th minute. With the Indian colts gaining ground towards goal, the danger was there for all to see, however the attacking finesse of the colts lacked the conversion and thus at half-time the scoreline remained stagnant at 0-0.
Changing over, and both teams entwined in a battle for possession resulting in an end-to-end affair.
In the 81st minute of the match, the Indian team came close to securing the decisive goal as Daniel’s shot flew inches wide of the post.
Second later, another Indian attempt went abegging. With ninety minutes not enough to segregate the teams, penalty shoot-out commenced, wherein the colts won 4-3.
(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)