Forward Mansoor Khan put Pakistan ahead with a goal in the 20th minute, which eventually turned out to be the decider. Khan rolled the ball into an empty net beating an advancing goalie Agiapal Singh after receiving a pass from Mohammad Sohail. Sohail had set up Khan with a header after the ball was released by goalie Singh.[break]
Though India dominated the match from the later stage of the first half until the final whistle, it failed to find the back of the net on the slippery ground. Pakistan custodian Usman Khan remained the major obstacle for Indian forwards as he made some heroic saves to deny them.
"The ground was not favorable for us as it was muddy, whereas we used to practice on artificial turf," said Indian coach Thomas Joseph during the post-match conference. He, however, was confident that they would advance into the next round. "We will win against the Maldives and secure a semifinal place," Thomas added.
India made as many as half-a-dozen of attempts on goal while Pakistan could make only a couple of attempts. India narrowly missed the equalizer five minutes from time when substitute Laldant Sanga´s strike from the box rebounded hitting the pole when he had only the goalie to beat.
India´s first real chance came in the ninth minute when Daniel Lalhlimpuia headed in Kamalpreet Singh´s cross but glovesman Usman Khan dived to deny him. Five minutes later, Raja Rawat´s powerful shot from the left flank was brilliantly dived and saved by goalie.
In the 29th minute German Preet Singh´s free-kick from the box sailed inches above the crossbar. India was awarded the free-kick after the goalie handled a back pass from a Pakistani defender.
Indian goalie Singh didn´t need to work much hard as Pakistan threatened the Indian goal only once besides scoring the decider. In the 13th minute, Singh denied Mansoor´s powerful shot from the left flank.
Pakistan put up a defensive show in the second half and was under immense pressure throughout the match with the ball mostly rolling in Pakistan´s half. Lalhlimpuia and Sanga´s attempts in the second half were again denied by Pakistan goalie Khan.
Following the win, Pakistan´s coach Sajjad Mahmood said that his side had arrived in Nepal to win the title. "India is a strong team and gave a tough fight. But we have defeated them in U-14 as well in 2010," said Mahmood.
India coach Joseph said that the tournament being held under SAFF´s youth development program was good for preparing for the AFC U-16 Championship to be held later this year. He also expressed satisfaction toward his side´s performance.
50 percent discount for students
After the low turnout of spectators in the stadium on Monday, the organizer All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced 50 percent discount on gate money for students of up to higher secondary (+2) level. Now students with identity cards can buy tickets for the matches at Rs 50 for ordinary and Rs 150 for VIP parapet.
Today´s match
Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh @ 15:30 NST
Venue: Dasharath Stadium
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