![SAFF U19 Championship: India beat Pakistan in final [Geo Super]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Pakistan-finish-2nd-in-2023-SAFF-U19-Championship.jpg "SAFF U19 Championship: India beat Pakistan in final [Geo Super]")
India beat Pakistan 3-0 in the final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship final at the Dashrath Rangasala Stadium on Saturday.
A brace from Manglenthang Kigpen and a last-minute inch-perfect header by Gwgwmsar Goyary sealed the deal for the Blues.
A thunderbolt by Kigpen from outside the box in the 64th minute gave the lead to India.
After netting their first, India upped their game and started playing more offensively to double their lead and eventually scored one more in the 85th minute with the same player scoring from a free kick.
Meanwhile, in the additional minutes, India were on a breathtaking counter-attack which was converted into a goal by Goyary’s header.
India successfully defended their title — which they won last year — with today’s victory.
Pakistan possessed no threat to the well-composed Indian side, who dominated the game from the start.
The first-half ended 0-0 courtesy of an excellent defensive display by the Green Shirts but they couldn’t keep up the same intensity throughout as India opened their account in the 64th minute.
The game went in India’s favour as they were up by three goals. However, in the 96th minute, just before the final whistle was about to be blown by the referee, Pakistan’s Ali Zafar made a rash challenge and was shown a red card.
It must be noted that both teams made their way to the event’s final by winning on penalties.
Pakistan’s match against Bhutan in the semi-final finished goalless, with the Green Shirts emerging triumphant 6-5 on penalty shootouts.
While, India vs Nepal ended 1-1 in regular time, and was decided on penalty shootouts, where India prevailed 3-2.