India U17 Triumphs Over Nepal 4-2 to Secure SAFF U17 Championship Final Spot

India advanced to the 2024 SAFF U17 Championship final at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday after defeating Nepal 4-2 in an intense game. Following a goalless first half, India took the lead with to goals from Vishal Yadav (61st and 68th minutes), Rishi Singh (85th), and Hemneichung Lunkim (90th).

However, Nepal was able to cut the lead thanks to goals from Subash Bam (81st) and Mohammed Kaif (89th) of India. India will play the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the championship match on Monday.

There weren’t many obvious opportunities in the first half as teams were hesitant to commit too many players forward and were assessing one another.

Despite having more of the ball, India’s midfielders had difficulty penetrating Nepal’s defense.

India’s first opportunity came in the 12th minute when Md. Arbash on the left wing scored from a defensive blunder inside the Nepal area. Arbash took a shot from a tight angle and distance after seeing the goalkeeper off his line, but it went high and wide.

Bharat Lairenjam’s cross into a dangerous area in the 38th minute was begging to be put in goal. Arbash, who was charging, dived in an attempt to reach it with his head, and Samson Ahongshangbam followed suit, but to no avail.

The two teams entered the half locked in a tight tie after the best opportunity of the half went begging.

India’s poacher’s knack for goal and astute tactical play combined to give them the lead in the 61st minute. The ball crossed from the right wing deep towards the far post after a well-worked corner.

Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum made a well-timed run and attempted a close-range header on goal, but Nepal’s goalkeeper Pemba Nurbu Bhote parried it away.

Only seven minutes later, India scored their second goal, which was exactly the same as their first. Sumit met a cross from Karish Soram’s right, and once more Yadav was there to make the most of the goalkeeper’s rebound.

In the 81st minute, Nepal scored a goal back thanks to a well-executed finish by Bam after being played through on goal.

However, Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, a replacement who had just recently entered the field, headed from a corner at the near post four minutes later to give India a two-goal lead again.

In the 89th minute, Mohammed Kaif gave Nepal another goal back by deflecting a corner into his own net. It appeared like Nepal had found a path back as tensions increased, but this was not to be.

In the fifth minute of injury time, substitute Hemneichung Lunkim scored India’s fourth goal to guarantee his team’s spot.