KATHMANDU: Paki­stan gave a spirited first-half performance but buckled as India intensified the pressure.

On their debut appearance at the SAFF Under-19 Championship, Paki­stan went down 3-0 to India in the final at the Dasharath Stadium on Saturday — the scoreline made more elaborate by their arch-rivals when they scored twice in the dying minutes.

India’s Manglengthang Kipgen scored twice, including the opener on the 62nd minute when he latched onto a rebound before firing a fizzing shot into the top right corner that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

With Pakistan chasing the leveller, Kipgen doubled India’s advantage in the 85th with another stunning strike before an inch-perfect header by Gwgwmsar Goyary in the fourth minute of added time sealed India’s win.

There was still time for Ali Zafar to be sent off as Pakistan ended the game with 10 men on the pitch.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2023