SAFF U-15 C'ship: Bangladesh beat India to reach final

Bangladesh trumped India to reach the final of the SAFF U-15 Championship with a thrilling 4-2 win on penalties at the ANFA Complex ground in Kathmandu yesterday.

Bangladesh goalkeeper Mehdi Hasan put in a heroic effort between the sticks, beating away two penalties to take the boys in red and green into just their second final in the tournament's history.

The semifinal rolled into penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

An already tough task was made considerably harder after India had taken the lead in the 17th minute through midfielder Patre Harsh Shailesh.

However a never-say-die attitude saw Bangladesh equalise in the dying moments of the match. Bangladesh were awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute and substitute Ashikur Rahman found the back of the net.

They will now face Pakistan in Saturday's final with history on their side because the only other time that Bangladesh reached the final -- in 2015 -- they became champions.