Bangladesh Under-19 lose to India in thrilling semifinal

India forged ahead in a breathtaking tiebreaker to shatter Bangladesh's dream of a spot in the final of SAFF Under-19 football championship in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Bangladesh lost 4-3 in the penalty shootout after the teams played a goalless regular time at Kathamandu's ANFA Complex on Thursday.

Although India's Lal Ram kicked the first spotkick over the post, Bangladesh lost the advantage in the first five shots before Mohammad Rahamat missed in sudden death.

Bangladesh looked good in the first half.

The first real chance came in the 20th minute when Mannaf Rabby veered away from four defenders but his shot was too weak to trouble the goalkeeper.

After being unable to break the deadlock in the first half, the teams switched roles in the second. India stepped up the heat and kept the Bangladesh box under pressure but to no avail.

Excitement rose as the teams desperately looked for a goal in the final minutes when goalkeeper Anisur parried away two shots from close range.

Bangladesh scored in the first two spotkicks but the teams drew level when Mohammad Ibrahim missed the third.

India's Gursimrat was denied by goalkeeper Anisur Rahman but the referee instructed the players to retake the shot. Gursimrat made no mistake in his second attempt as India went ahead 3-2.

Although Rabby levelled the score after India's Sarthak Gouti hit the bar, Rahamat's miss led to Bangladesh's exit in the sudden death stage.

India will play against hosts Nepal in the final on Aug 29.