Ten-man Bangladesh progressed into the final of the SAFF U-20 Championship after they defeated defending champions India 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur on Monday.

Bangladesh threw away a first-half lead from Asadul Molla to Rickey Meetei Haobam’s 75th minute equaliser and had to rely on substitute goalkeeper Md Asif’s heroics in the shootout to reach their second consecutive final.

The Bengal Tigers now dream of lifting their first ever trophy of the SAFF age-group competition after coming close in 2017, 2019 and 2023.

But they will have to overcome a huge challenge from a dogged and spirited Nepal.

With India out of the competition, their bid for reclaiming the throne from India has now been made easy.

Nepal fought back to beat Bhutan 4-1 on penalties on Sunday after their semi-final battle ended in a 1-1 draw.

Only Nepal and India have won the SAFF age-group championship title since its inception in 2015, with the latter winning the last three editions. Nepal won the first two.

Nepal will also be full of confidence for the title battle, having beaten Bangladesh 2-1 in the group stage, and will be aiming to reclaim the throne.

For Bangladesh, it will be a grudge match, a second chance to take care of an unfinished business and write a new chapter in South Asian football history.

The stakes will be high.

At Satdobato, India started as favourites and were the first to threaten when Gwgwmsar Goyaray sneaked past the Bangladesh defence and charged at goal with his left-footed strike from close range but goalkeeper and captain Md Mehdi Hasan Srabon came to the rescue with a brilliant save.

India kept applying pressure on Bangladesh half but struggled to find any clear chances.

Bangladesh were also lacklustre but did not throw away the only chance they got as Molla pounced on a goalkeeping error from Priyansh Dubey to slam from close range—credit to Md Rabby Hossen Rahul who outsmarted Thomas Kanamoottil Cherian to send a low cross that tricked outstretching Dubey before finding the feet of Molla.

India had some moments in the final minutes of the first half but could not penetrate the Bangladesh defence line.

India switched to a more aggressive mode after the break and it soon started to pay dividends as Bangladesh had to survive a series of attacks.

Manglenthang Kipgen curling effort almost found the inside of the net in the 52nd minute.

Korou Singh Thingujam should have equalised two minutes later when he only had Srabon to beat but his shot from inside the area flashed wide.

Thanglalsoun Gangte then reached twice closer to goal, testing Srabon with a powerful shot and hitting the upright.

Bangladesh looked determined not to let their lead slip away easily and made a goal line clearance to deny Goyary in the 64th minute but their first choice goalkeeper Srabon had to be stretchered off after sustaining an injury while trying to foil Goyary’s effort.

India took full advantage of it and squared the game in the 75th minute. Naoba Meitei Pangambam utilised the opportunity of a poor defending from Kamacai Marma Aky and cut back for Haobam to send a low ball through the crowded area, giving Asif no chance.

Bangladesh received another hammer blow in the fifth minute of added time as Aky was sent off for badly challenging India goalkeeper Dubey.

But Asif, who came on crisis and gave away the lead, found redemption in the shootout as he denied Gangte and Akash Tirkey to take Bangladesh into the final.