Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal’s journey in the SAFF Men’s U-19 Football Championship has come to an end in the semifinals as the hosts suffered a 2-3 defeat against India in the penalty shootout at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
The match went to the tie-breaker after both teams ended the regulation time with a 1-1 draw.
Prashant Laksam, Laxman Thapa, and Bikram Thapa were unable to convert their penalties for Nepal, despite the heroic efforts of Nepali goalkeeper Jiyarath Sheikh who managed to save two Indian penalties. On the Indian side, Arjun Singh, Gwgwmsar Goyary, and Manglentheng Kipgen successfully converted their penalties.
In the regulation time, India took the lead in the 26th minute when Sahil Khursid scored a beautiful goal from inside the box connecting with a headed pass from Gwgwmsar Goyary. Samir Tamang headed the equalizer for Nepal in the 74th minute utilizing Deepak Thapa Magar’s pass.
India will now face Pakistan in the final. Pakistan secured their spot in the final by defeating Bhutan in a penalty shootout in the first semifinal held earlier on Wednesday.
