Nepal ended their 22-year title drought in the major international football event on Saturday with a 5-4 win over India on penalties after the two sides were tied 1-1 in an exciting final of the first Saff U-19 Championship.

It was Nepal’s first victory over arch rivals India in all competitions since a 2-1 win in the Saff Championship also at home in 2013. The last time Nepal won the major title in 1993 when a senior side under Raju Shakya edged India 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the South Asian Games football final in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

After the Saff Championship victory, India had defeated Nepal 2-0 before returning with the same scorelines in this year’s World Cup Qualifying game in Guwahati. The return leg of the Qualifying in Kathmandu had ended on a goalless draw. India had also defeated Nepal in the 2013 Saff U-16 Championship final and in the semi-finals this year. India, however, hold sway with 12 wins in the 17 meetings between the two sides. Nepal have managed three wins, with two other games ending in a draw. And skipper Bimal Gharti Magar’s joy knew no bounds when Ananta Tamang buried his spot kick into the back of the net to secure the title. “All of us in the team had wanted India in the final and to defeat an improved team like India is a big achievement for us. We played with determination throughout the tournament so that we can defeat India,” said Gharti Magar.

Incidentally, current U-19 coach Bal Gopal Maharjan was a member of the triumphant Nepali team in the 1993 final. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for the last 22 years. A day we can never forget,” he said, pouring out his emotions after the final victory. “I was a part of the Nepali team that won the South Asian Games gold in 1993 and to end this long wait as a coach of the team has given me a special feeling. I thank everyone who has supported us all along.”

Dedicating the title to those who died in the earthquakes, Maharjan added, “Four months ago we were left devastated by the loss of thousands of lives. Our football family also lost our acting president (Lalit Krishna Shrestha). Although it is a small one, I want to dedicate this title to the souls of those who died in the earthquake and the deceased Shrestha.”