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, the Indian team took the lead thanks 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. The Indian team will play the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the championship match on Monday. Too few clear opportunities occurred in the first half as teams were too cautious, committing too many players forward and assessing one another.
U-17 Indian team
Despite having more of the ball, India’s midfielders had difficulty penetrating Nepal’s defence.
India’s first opportunity came in the 12th minute when Md. Arbash on the left wing scored from a defensive blunder inside the Nepal box. Arbash took a shot from a tight angle and distance after seeing the custodian off his line, but it went high and wide. A cross from Bharat Lairenjam found a perfect spot in a dangerous area in the 38th minute, begging to be put in the goal. Arbash dove in an attempt to reach it with his head, as did Samson Ahongshangbam behind him, but to no avail.
The two teams entered the half locked in a tight stalemate after the best opportunity of the half went begging. A poacher’s instinct for goal combined with astute tactical play gave India 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 custodian Pemba Nurbu Bhote parried it away.
Only seven minutes later, India scored their second goal, which was the same as their first. Yadav was again there to take full advantage of the rebound from the custodian after Karish Soram’s cross from the right was met by Sumit. In the 81st minute, Nepal scored a goal back thanks to a well-executed finish by Bam after being played through on goal.
However, India restored their two-goal lead four minutes later when Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, a replacement who had only entered the field a few minutes earlier, headed a corner at the near post. In the 89th minute, Mohammed Kaif deflected a corner into his net to give Nepal another goal back. It appeared that Nepal had found a way 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.
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