Pakistan secured a place in the SAFF Championship final after defeating hosts Bangladesh 1-0 in a tense semi-final at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
Abdul Samad Arshad scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, ending Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the final on home soil and setting up a highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals India.
Both sides hit the woodwork
The semi-final remained goalless at half-time, with both teams creating opportunities in an evenly contested first period.
Pakistan started positively and put pressure on the hosts, but Bangladesh gradually settled into the match. In the seventh minute, Kazem Shah tested the Pakistan goalkeeper with an effort on target.
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Bangladesh came close to taking the lead when Rakib’s powerful attempt, following a header from Shamit Shome, slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands before striking the post.
Pakistan also threatened before the interval. Abdus Samad found space after Tariq Kazi lost track of his marking, but his effort hit the post.
Arshad delivers the decisive goal
The second half continued in a competitive fashion, with Pakistan maintaining their defensive discipline and frustrating the hosts.
Five minutes before the end of regulation time, Arshad found the breakthrough to give Pakistan a crucial 1-0 lead.
Bangladesh pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Pakistan held firm to secure their place in the final, scheduled for November 17.
Pakistan prepare for India showdown
Pakistan, coached by Nolberto Solano, reached the semi-finals after finishing second in Group B. They opened their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to India before responding with a 3-0 victory over the Maldives. Teenage striker Najeeb Ullah Khan scored twice in that win.
The team also received a boost ahead of the semi-final with the arrival of five overseas-based players: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Ali Akbar Khan, Adil Nabi and Abdul Samad Shahzad. They had missed the group-stage matches because the fixtures fell outside the FIFA international window.
Pakistan will now face India in the final as they look to claim the regional championship title.
