Pakistan knocked out hosts Bangladesh with a 1-0 win in their SAFF Championship semi-final, earning a place in the final against arch-rivals India. Abdul Samad Arshad settled the match in the 85th minute at the National Stadium in Dhaka, ending Bangladesh’s hopes of playing in the final on home soil.
The contest was goalless at half-time, with both sides hitting the woodwork in an evenly balanced first half. Pakistan’s composed display carried them through a tight game, and they will now meet India on 17 November.
Near misses in a tight first half
Pakistan started positively and pressed the hosts, but Bangladesh gradually found their rhythm. Kazem Shah tested the Pakistan goalkeeper with an on-target shot in the seventh minute, the hosts’ first real opening.
Later, Rakib’s powerful effort, which followed a header from Shamit Shome, slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands and struck the post. Pakistan also came close before the interval, when Abdus Samad found space after Tariq Kazi lost his marker, only for his shot to hit the woodwork.
Late winner and path to the final
The second half stayed competitive, with Pakistan frustrating the hosts until Arshad struck five minutes from time. Bangladesh pushed forward for an equaliser, but Pakistan held firm to reach the final.
Coach Nolberto Solano’s side had finished second in Group B. They lost 3-2 to India in their opener, then bounced back with a 3-0 win over the Maldives, in which teenage striker Najeeb Ullah Khan scored twice. Before the semi-final, five overseas-based players joined the squad: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Ali Akbar Khan, Adil Nabi and Abdul Samad Shahzad. They had missed the group-stage matches because they fell outside the FIFA international window.
