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KARACHI: Pakistan’s U-16 football team cruised into the final of the inaugural SAFF U-16 Championship after they defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in the first semi-final played in Katmandu.
Pakistan's two best players of the night Mansoor Khan and Sher Ali scored a goal each near the full-time whistle to secure a 2-0 victory for the green shirts.
In the first half, Pakistan came close to scoring at the half hour mark with Khan’s powerful shot going agonizingly close.
Bangladesh tried some counter-attacking football but Pakistan’s defense played its part well to deny them and the game opened up in the second half with both sides looking for a goal.
When Khan's beautiful free-kick hit the top of the cross bar to go out of play, extra time looked inevitable. But just before the 90 minute mark, Khan made up for the two missed chances and struck a 25 yard shot over the Bangladeshi keeper to give Pakistan the lead in the 89th minute.
Just as the Bangladeshi boys started trying for a desperate last minute push to equalize, Pakistan put the nail in the coffin and made it 2-0 through Ali. Ali dribbled past two defenders to score from a tight angle in the 92nd minute and send Pakistan into the SAFF U-16 Championship final.
Pakistan will face India in the final after India beat Nepal on penalties in the second semi-final.
Pakistan’s impressive U-16 team has won all its games and has yet to concede a single goal in the tournament.
