Bangladesh fought back from two goals down to reach the final of the SAFF Under-17 Championship 2024 as they beat Pakistan 8-7 on penalties in the second semi-final at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday.
They will face holders and five-time champions India, who beat Group B runners-up Nepal 4-2 in the first semi-final, in the final at the same venue on Monday.
Bangladesh, who were fortunate to move into the semi-finals with only a point from two matches, came back on the verge of elimination as they were 2-0 down within the 62nd minute before super-sub Mohammad Manik鈥檚 brace took the game into penalties.
Shahab Ahmed headed home a corner from Subhan Karim to give Pakistan the lead in the 32nd minute before Abdul Rehman made it 2-0 by scoring from the penalty in the 62nd minute.
Bangladesh defender Siam Omit committed a handball inside the box while trying to tackle Muhammad Talha, and the referee did not hesitate to reward the penalty to Pakistan.
Manik, who came in place of Rifat Kazi in the 63rd minute, brought Bangladesh back into the game in the 75th minute with a tap in from goalmouth melee after a corner from the right side by Mursed Ali.
Bangladesh were seemingly running out of race before Manik鈥檚 grounder from inside the box made it 2-2 in the stoppage time.
Substitute goalkeeper Alif Rahman Imtiage, who replaced regular keeper Nahidul Islam for tie-breaker, stepped up and saved Pakistan鈥檚 Abdul Ghani鈥檚 shot to take Bangladesh into the final.
Earlier, Bangladesh reached the last-four from three-team Group A as runners-up after a 1-1 draw against the Maldives and a 1-0 loss to India, who beat the Maldives 3-0 in another match to become group champions.
Pakistan, the champions of 2011, defeated Nepal 1-0 before a 3-3 draw against hosts Bhutan and a 5-1 win over Sri Lanka to advance the semi-finals as Group B champions.