KARACHI:
Pakistan ended hosts Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the SAFF Championship final on home soil with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the second semi-final in Dhaka on Saturday.
Abdul Samad Arshad scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute at the National Stadium to send Pakistan into the November 17 final against arch-rivals India.
The closely contested encounter remained goalless for much of the match, with both sides hitting the woodwork in the first half as Pakistan produced a disciplined display to overcome the hosts.
Pakistan started brightly and put Bangladesh under pressure in the opening minutes, but the hosts gradually settled and began creating opportunities of their own.
Bangladesh threatened in the seventh minute when Kazem Shah tested the Pakistan goalkeeper with a shot on target, although the effort lacked the power to cause serious trouble.
The hosts struggled to break through Pakistan’s physically strong defence, with their attacking moves frequently halted outside the penalty area.
The contest became more evenly balanced as the half progressed. Bangladesh came close to taking the lead when Rakib unleashed a powerful effort after connecting with Shamit Shome’s header.
Pakistan’s goalkeeper initially saved the shot, but the ball slipped from his hands and bounced against the post, denying Bangladesh the opening goal.
Pakistan responded at the other end after the cooling break around the half-hour mark. Abdus Samad found space after Tariq Kazi failed to maintain his marking, but his effort also struck the post.
Both teams went into the interval level at 0-0 after an entertaining first half in which neither side could find the breakthrough.
The second half remained tightly contested, with Pakistan continuing to frustrate the hosts before Arshad struck five minutes from time to settle the match.
Bangladesh pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Pakistan held on to secure a memorable victory and book their place in the final.
Pakistan, coached by Nolberto Solano, had reached the semi-finals as Group B runners-up after losing 3-2 to India in their opening match and responding with a 3-0 win over the Maldives. Teenage striker Najeeb Ullah Khan scored twice against the Maldives.
The team also received a boost before the knockout match with the arrival of five overseas-based players Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Ali Akbar Khan, Adil Nabi and Abdul Samad Shahzad who had missed the group stage because the fixtures fell outside the FIFA international window.
Bangladesh had topped Group A unbeaten, beating Bhutan 1-0 and Sri Lanka 4-0, and were seeking their second regional title after winning the competition in 2003.
Pakistan will now face India in the final as they bid to claim the SAFF Championship crown.