Nepal overcame a goal deficit to edge India 3-1 in their last group stage match to earn a final berth of the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship at the BSSS Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Nepal scored all three goals after the interval to stun India, with Anjali Chand, captain Preeti Rai from spot and Amisha Karki hitting targets. India had taken the lead in the first half through Apurna Narzary.

The outcome secures at least a top two finish for Nepal in the four-team competition that also includes hosts Bangladesh and Bhutan. Nepal had lost 3-1 to Bangladesh in their opening match before defeating Bhutan 4-0 in the second game of the contest that sent the top two teams in the final. Bangladesh and India had played a 0-0 draw while India had opened their campaign with a 12-0 thumping of Bhutan.

Nepal are on top of the standings with six points from three games while India and Bangladesh are second and third, respectively, with four points each, on goal difference. Bangladesh are yet to play their last group stage match against Bhutan, who are yet to open the scoring in the points table.

Nepal are most likely to get Bangladesh as the final opponents but they could again meet India in the final should Bhutan come up with an upset win over hosts in their last group later on Tuesday. The final is scheduled for Thursday.

Narzary gave a 21st minute lead to India before Chand restored the parity three minutes into the second half. Captain Rai put Nepal on front foot in the 79th through a penalty goal. Amisha Karki poured cold water on India’s ambition of getting back the equaliser with a third goal one minute from time.