Kathmandu, Oct 27 : Pakistan has reached the semifinal of the SAFF U-15 Championship Football Tournament. Pakistan made its place in the last four by securing a second consecutive victory today’s match against Bhutan.
Pakistan thrashed Bhutan, 4-0, in the second game under the group phase. Muddasar Nazar scored a goal in the 24th minute giving Pakistan a lead. Iftikhar Ahmed scored three minutes after the first goal for Pakistan while Moin Ahmed pulled a goal in the 33rd minute. Moin again scored a goal in the fag end of the first half.
Bhutan which conceded four goals in the first half could not score a goal in the second half of the game as well. Although playing with some improved poise as compared to the first half, Bhutan could not score in the second half.
Pakistan had defeated strong competitor India 2-1 in the inaugural match held on Thursday. Pakistan has earned six points in Group ‘B’ while Bhutan and India have no points. iIndia and Bhutan will play against each other on Sunday in the last match of Group ‘B’.
Bangladesh and Maldives will face each other in the second game taking place today. Maldives which faced a defeat to Nepal in the first game are under pressure to defeat Bangladesh to reach the next round.
Host Nepal is taking on Bangladesh on Sunday in the last match of the Group round. Nepal beat Maldives 4-0 in the first match played on Thursday.
Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives are participating in the championship.
Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Pakistan are in Group ‘A’ while India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are in Group ‘B’ of the championship. The football tournament would conclude on November 3.
