Nepal Narrowly Loses to India in SAFF U-19 Championship Semifinal

In a thrilling encounter at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, Nepal faced a heart-wrenching loss to India in the semifinal of the SAFF U-19 Championship football tournament. The match, which kept fans on the edge of their seats, ended in a dramatic tiebreaker, with India securing victory by a scoreline of 3-2.

Throughout the regulation time and added minutes, both teams displayed their prowess, resulting in a 1-1 draw and necessitating a penalty shootout to determine the winner. In the tiebreaker, Nepal’s Prashant Laxam Limbu, Laxman Thapa, and Bikram Tamang unfortunately couldn’t find the back of the net. However, Ashwin Ghorasini and Kushal Deuba managed to convert their penalties.

On the Indian side, two players faced a similar fate, failing to score, while three others successfully put the ball past the Nepali goalkeeper.

India initially took the lead in the 26th minute of the match, with Sahil Khursheed scoring a crucial goal for his team. The Nepali supporters held their breath, hoping for an equalizer, and it finally came in the 74th minute when Samir Tamang delivered a sensational goal on behalf of the host nation, leveling the score at 1-1.

Despite the valiant efforts of both teams, the game had to be decided by a penalty shootout, where India emerged victorious, earning a spot in the final match.

With this win, India has secured a place in the tournament’s final, where they will face off against Pakistan. Football enthusiasts eagerly await the thrilling showdown, set to take place this Saturday.

The SAFF U-19 Championship has showcased some exceptional talent and fierce competition, solidifying its reputation as an exciting platform for young footballers in the region.