India thump Pakistan to win SAFF U19 Championship 2023

KATHMANDU: India won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2023 with a resounding 3-0 victory over Pakistan at the Dashrath Rangasala Stadium on Saturday.

The fierce rivals went hard at each other in the first half of the blockbuster SAFF U19 Championship 2023 final, barring each other from scoring the opener.

Pakistan’s team, fuelled with momentum, heading into the final, displayed great resilience against the Indian attack and denied several chances.

The Green Shirts, however, failed to imitate their defensive skills in the second half and India, as a result, managed to open their account in the 64th minute, courtesy of an outside-the-box thunderbolt from Kigpen.

The second-half opener boosted India’s morale and they pressed Pakistan’s defence with more intensity and eventually got the reward in the 85th minute when Kigpen successfully converted a free kick.

India went into a ruthless counter-attacking mode in injury time, which paved the way for them to score their third goal by Goyary’s header.

A thumping 3-0 victory over Pakistan in the final meant India successfully defended their title, which they won in last year.

Pakistan made their way to the SAFF U19 Championship 2023 final as they edged Bhutan 6-5 on the penalty shoot-out after their nail-biting semi-final finished goalless at the end of extra time.

Pakistan’s goalkeeper Sahil Gul’s sensational save in the penalty shoot-out propelled the green shirts to clinch a narrow 6-5 victory over spirited Bhutan.

Earlier, Pakistan booked their spot in the final four of the ongoing tournament by holding Maldives for a 1-1 stalemate.

Pakistan Squad for SAFF U19 Championship 2023

Goalkeepers: Sahil Gul, Mohsin Khan and Muhammad Abdullah

Defenders: Muhammad Sadam, Muhammad Adeel, Asad Nasir, Ans Amin, Khurshid Alam, Muhammad Raheel, Shayan Ali, Kamil Ahmad Khan, Abid Ali, Hannan Naveed and Najeeb Ullah

Midfielders: Ali Zafar, Muhammad Azan and Awais Khan

Forwards: Shahjahan, Muhammad Hassan, Faisal Ahmad, Abdul Wahab, Muhammad Haroon Zafar and Muhammad Adeel Younas

Team Officials: Shadab Ifthikhar (Head Coach), Mohsan Ul Hussnain (Assistant Coach), Khurram Shahzad (Goal Keeper Coach), Aamna (Media), Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Samama (Physio) and Zohair Gondal (Team Manager).

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Pakistan edge Bhutan on penalties to reach SAFF U19 Championship 2023 final

KATHMANDU: Pakistan edged Bhutan 6-5 on the penalty shoot-out at the Dashrath Rangasala Stadium to qualify for the SAFF U19 Championship 2023 final after their nailbiting semi-final finished goalless at the end of extra time.

Pakistan’s goalkeeper Sahil Gul’s sensational save in the penalty shoot-out propelled the green shirts to clinch a narrow 6-5 victory over spirited Bhutan.

Pakistan will now lock horns with arch-rivals India in the final of the ongoing SAFF U19 Championship 2023 on Saturday at the same venue.

Pakistan booked their spot in the final four of the ongoing tournament by holding Maldives for a 1-1 stalemate.

The Green Shirts started their second SAFF U19 Championship 2023 fixture on a high as they dominated the possession for a notable period but failed to convert into a goal.

Pakistan’s error in conversion allowed the Maldives to capitalize on the situation and they successfully netted the opener in the 39th minute, courtesy of a brilliant outside-of-the-box finish.

Maldives went into the break with a 1-0 lead over Pakistan.

In the second half, Pakistan made numerous efforts but were denied the equalizer by the strong Maldives defence.

Pakistan, however, finally got luck in their favour when Shah Jahan netted the equalizer late into the game before pulling off an animated celebration.

Pakistan scripted a triumphant start to their SAFF U19 Championship 2023 campaign with a thrilling 1-0 victory over hosts Nepal.

Pakistan and Nepal went hard at each other in their SAFF U19 Championship fixture and showcased thrilling skills and tenacity before the former prevailed.

With a thrilling victory over Nepal, Pakistan ended a 12-year-long victory drought in an international match.

Pakistan’s U19 team last secured a victory on the international stage in 2011, when they defeated India’s U19 team.

The ongoing SAFF U19 Championship 2023 is being held at the Dashrath Stadium here from September 21 to 30.

For the unversed, this is the fifth edition of the SAFF U19 Championship, a highly competitive international football tournament for men’s under-19 national sides, organised by the SAFF.

India are the defending champions, having won their second title in 2022 by defeating Bangladesh in the final.

Pakistan Squad for SAFF U19 Championship 2023

Goalkeepers: Sahil Gul, Mohsin Khan and Muhammad Abdullah

Defenders: Muhammad Sadam, Muhammad Adeel, Asad Nasir, Ans Amin, Khurshid Alam, Muhammad Raheel, Shayan Ali, Kamil Ahmad Khan, Abid Ali, Hannan Naveed and Najeeb Ullah

Midfielders: Ali Zafar, Muhammad Azan and Awais Khan

Forwards: Shahjahan, Muhammad Hassan, Faisal Ahmad, Abdul Wahab, Muhammad Haroon Zafar and Muhammad Adeel Younas

Team Officials: Shadab Ifthikhar (Head Coach), Mohsan Ul Hussnain (Assistant Coach), Khurram Shahzad (Goal Keeper Coach), Aamna (Media), Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Samama (Physio) and Zohair Gondal (Team Manager).

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Pakistan to face Bhutan in SAFF U19 Championship semi-final

KATHMANDU: Pakistan will face Bhutan in the first semi-final of the ongoing South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2023.

The much-anticipated semi-final between Pakistan and Bhutan will start at 12:45 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) on Wednesday, the same day, India will be squaring off against hosts Nepal in the second semi-final of the SAFF U19 Championship 2023.

Pakistan booked their spot in the final four of the ongoing tournament by holding Maldives for a 1-1 stalemate.

The Green Shirts started their second SAFF U19 Championship 2023 fixture on a high as they dominated the possession for a notable period but failed to convert into a goal.

Pakistan’s error in conversion allowed the Maldives to capitalize on the situation and they successfully netted the opener in the 39th minute, courtesy of a brilliant outside-of-the-box finish.

Maldives went into the break with a 1-0 lead over Pakistan.

In the second half, Pakistan made numerous efforts but were denied the equalizer by the strong Maldives defence.

Pakistan, however, finally got luck in their favour when Shah Jahan netted the equalizer late into the game before pulling off an animated celebration.

Earlier this week, Pakistan scripted a triumphant start to their SAFF U19 Championship 2023 campaign with a thrilling 1-0 victory over hosts Nepal.

Pakistan and Nepal went hard at each other in their SAFF U19 Championship fixture and showcased thrilling skills and tenacity before the former prevailed.

With a thrilling victory over Nepal, Pakistan ended a 12-year-long victory drought in an international match.

Pakistan’s U19 team last secured a victory on the international stage in 2011, when they defeated India’s U19 team.

Midfielder Ali Zafar netted the lone goal in the 74th minute, which turned out to be the difference maker between the two sides, who appeared inseparable in the first half.

Besides Ali Zafar, Pakistan’s goalkeeper Sahil Gul played a pivotal role in his team’s triumph over Nepal, denying several threatening efforts from the home side.

The ongoing SAFF U19 Championship 2023 is being held at the Dashrath Stadium here from September 21 to 30.

For the unversed, this is the fifth edition of the SAFF U19 Championship, a highly competitive international football tournament for men’s under-19 national sides, organised by the SAFF.

India are the defending champions, having won their second title in 2022 by defeating Bangladesh in the final.

Pakistan Squad for SAFF U19 Championship 2023

Goalkeepers: Sahil Gul, Mohsin Khan and Muhammad Abdullah

Defenders: Muhammad Sadam, Muhammad Adeel, Asad Nasir, Ans Amin, Khurshid Alam, Muhammad Raheel, Shayan Ali, Kamil Ahmad Khan, Abid Ali, Hannan Naveed and Najeeb Ullah

Midfielders: Ali Zafar, Muhammad Azan and Awais Khan

Forwards: Shahjahan, Muhammad Hassan, Faisal Ahmad, Abdul Wahab, Muhammad Haroon Zafar and Muhammad Adeel Younas

Team Officials: Shadab Ifthikhar (Head Coach), Mohsan Ul Hussnain (Assistant Coach), Khurram Shahzad (Goal Keeper Coach), Aamna (Media), Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Samama (Physio) and Zohair Gondal (Team Manager).

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Pakistan reach SAFF U19 Championship semi-final with Maldives stalemate

KATHMANDU: Pakistan came from behind to hold Maldives for a 1-1 stalemate to qualify for the semi-finals of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2023.

The Green Shirts started their second SAFF U19 Championship 2023 fixture on a high as they dominated the possession for a notable period but failed to convert into a goal.

Pakistan’s error in conversion allowed the Maldives to capitalize on the situation and they successfully netted the opener in the 39th minute, courtesy of a brilliant outside-of-the-box finish.

Maldives went into the break with a 1-0 lead over Pakistan.

In the second half, Pakistan made numerous efforts but were denied the equalizer by the strong Maldives defence.

Pakistan, however, finally got luck in their favour when Shah Jahan netted the equalizer late into the game before pulling off an animated celebration.

Earlier this week, Pakistan scripted a triumphant start to their SAFF U19 Championship 2023 campaign with a thrilling 1-0 victory over hosts Nepal.

Pakistan and Nepal went hard at each other in their SAFF U19 Championship fixture and showcased thrilling skills and tenacity before the former prevailed.

With a thrilling victory over Nepal, Pakistan ended a 12-year-long victory drought in an international match.

Pakistan’s U19 team last secured a victory on the international stage in 2011, when they defeated India’s U19 team.

Midfielder Ali Zafar netted the lone goal in the 74th minute, which turned out to be the difference maker between the two sides, who appeared inseparable in the first half.

Besides Ali Zafar, Pakistan’s goalkeeper Sahil Gul played a pivotal role in his team’s triumph over Nepal, denying several threatening efforts from the home side.

The ongoing SAFF U19 Championship 2023 is being held at the Dashrath Stadium here from September 21 to 30.

For the unversed, this is the fifth edition of the SAFF U19 Championship, a highly competitive international football tournament for men’s under-19 national sides, organised by the SAFF.

India are the defending champions, having won their second title in 2022 by defeating Bangladesh in the final.

Pakistan Squad for SAFF U19 Championship 2023

Goalkeepers: Sahil Gul, Mohsin Khan and Muhammad Abdullah

Defenders: Muhammad Sadam, Muhammad Adeel, Asad Nasir, Ans Amin, Khurshid Alam, Muhammad Raheel, Shayan Ali, Kamil Ahmad Khan, Abid Ali, Hannan Naveed and Najeeb Ullah

Midfielders: Ali Zafar, Muhammad Azan and Awais Khan

Forwards: Shahjahan, Muhammad Hassan, Faisal Ahmad, Abdul Wahab, Muhammad Haroon Zafar and Muhammad Adeel Younas

Team Officials: Shadab Ifthikhar (Head Coach), Mohsan Ul Hussnain (Assistant Coach), Khurram Shahzad (Goal Keeper Coach), Aamna (Media), Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Samama (Physio) and Zohair Gondal (Team Manager).

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