Bangladesh reached the final of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2024 after beating last year’s champions India by 4(1)-3(1) goals in the second semifinal at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal on Monday.

Substitute goalkeeper Md Asif, who conceded India’s equalising goal in the second half, became a hero as he impressively saved two times during the tie-breaker.

Asif, who came in the place of goalkeeper-captain Mehdi Hasan Srabon in the 69th minute, denied the first spot-kick of Thanglalsoun Gangte to demoralise the former champions and stopped the fifth spot-kick of Akash Tirkey to secure the massive win.

On the other hand, Bangladesh’s Piash Ahmmed Nova, Moniul Islam Moin, Shakil Ahad Topu and Ashraful Haque Asif converted their spot-kicks correctly while India’s Pramveer, Gwgwmsar Goyary, Manjot Singh Parmar netted one each.

The day’s nail-biting match went to the tie-breaker as both sides were locked at 1-1 goals in the stipulated 90-minute.

Earlier in the match, Asadul Molla took a lead for Bangladesh with a right-footed shot while India goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey failed to grab a shot from Rabby Hossen Rahul in the 36th minute.

But despite a lot of impressive saves Bangladesh failed to maintain their lead while Indian skipper Ricky Meetei Haobam scored a straight grounder from inside the box utilising a defensive error in the 75th minute.

Bangladesh will meet hosts Nepal in the final of this regional age-level competition on Wednesday at the same venue.

Nepal beat Bhutan by 4-1 goals in the tie-breaker as their hard-fought first semifinal was tied at 1-1 goals on Sunday at the same venue.