In a thrilling showdown at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, Pakistan has clinched a hard-fought victory, securing their spot in the final of the prestigious South Asian Football Confederation (SAFF) U-19 Championship. The match against Bhutan kept fans on the edge of their seats, as neither side managed to find the back of the net during regulation time, ultimately leading to a decisive penalty shootout.
In the high-pressure penalty shootout, Pakistan showcased their composure and precision. The heroes of the moment were Muhammad Adeel Yunas, Shah Jahan, Ali Zafar, Khurshid Alam, Muhammad Sadam, and Kamil Ahmed Khan, all of whom demonstrated nerves of steel as they successfully converted their spot-kicks.

Bhutan, too, displayed their determination and skill in the shootout, with Kinzang Tenzin, Jigme Namgyel, Rinzin Dorji, Ugen Dorji, and Pema Zangpo finding the mark. However, Sahil Gul, Pakistan’s goalkeeper, emerged as the pivotal figure, making a crucial save against Tshetrim Pelzang’s attempt, which proved to be the turning point in the contest.
Pakistan’s journey to the final has been remarkable, having topped Group ‘A’ during the preliminary stage. Conversely, Bhutan secured their place in the semi-finals as Group B’s runners-up.
This historic victory marks Pakistan’s first-ever entry into the SAFF U-19 Championship final, and the outcome of the second semi-final clash between Nepal and India will determine their opponents in the title clash. All eyes will be on the grand finale, scheduled for Saturday, where Pakistan aims to etch their name in the annals of South Asian football history.