Pakistan came into this SAFF U-17 semi-final brimming with confidence after convincing wins over Bhutan and Maldives. But against arch-rivals India, the contest unfolded into a gripping battle of momentum swings, individual brilliance, and defensive lapses. In the end, India’s sharper finishing proved decisive as they edged out Pakistan 3-2 to book their place in the final.
Minute-by-minute report
3 min Early yellow card for Pakistan’s skipper, setting a nervous tone for the back line.
5 min Pakistan goalkeeper Samar Razzaq makes the first of many crucial saves, denying India from close range.
7 min Hamza Yasir tries to dazzle with some footwork on the right, though India’s defence stands firm.
11 min Samar with another superb stop, diving low to keep Pakistan level.
15 min Hamza swings in a fine cross from the right, but the Indian keeper gathers calmly.
18 min Free-kick for Pakistan. Hamza delivers into the box, chaos ensues, but India’s keeper claims under pressure.
22 min Back-to-back corners for Hamza Yasir, both dealt with comfortably. Pakistan are pushing but without penetration.
28 min Muhammad Abdullah appeals for a foul just outside the Indian box – nothing given. Abdullah, the tournament’s top scorer, cuts a frustrated figure.
30 min – Goal! India 1-0 Pakistan India’s No.10 pounces right in front of goal, slotting past Samar Razzaq. Pakistan punished for slack marking at the worst possible time.
32 min Pakistan respond with a free-kick, but the attempt flies harmlessly over the bar.
39 min Pakistan win a corner. A solid delivery finds a head in the box, but the effort sails over.
41 min – Goal! Pakistan 1-1 India Penalty for Pakistan! Hamza Yasir bursts into the area and is clipped. Muhammad Abdullah steps up with confidence and buries it – his sixth goal of the tournament.
44 min Hamza is brought down again near the area, but this time no foul is awarded. Pakistan bench not impressed.
45+2 min India threaten just before the break, Samar with a smart stop to keep it level. Half-time: 1-1.
49 min India begin brightly in the second half. Samar again comes to the rescue with a sharp save.
52 min India win a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box. Samar leaps brilliantly to push it over.
57 min Another Indian chance inside the six-yard box, but Samar rushes out bravely. Offside flag eventually spares Pakistan.
62 min – Goal! India 2-1 Pakistan India regain the lead. No.20 latches onto a pass, cuts inside, and finishes with precision. Samar has no chance.
66 min Pakistan’s defence under siege as India press for a third.
69 min – Goal! Pakistan 2-2 India Against the run of play, Hamza Yasir reacts quickest to a rebound and slams home the equaliser. Game on again!
73 min – Goal! India 3-2 Pakistan What a response! India restore their lead almost immediately. A deflected shot wrong-foots Samar, nestling in the net. Pakistan stunned.
75 min Free-kick for India, but Samar once more produces a fine fingertip save.
88 min Huge let-off for Pakistan. A fierce Indian effort squirms under Samar, bounces off the post, but the keeper recovers just in time to claw it off the line.
90+3 min India’s No.10 almost seals it with a long-range strike that whistles past the post.
Full-time: India 3-2 Pakistan
Wrap-up
Pakistan fought valiantly, twice coming from behind through Abdullah and Hamza, but defensive lapses and India’s sharp response after each equaliser proved costly. Samar Razzaq kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves, while Hamza Yasir was at the heart of Pakistan’s attacking intent. India, however, showed the clinical edge that makes champions, and they march on to the SAFF U-17 final.
About the author
Mohsin Rasheed is the Chief Editor of Footballer.pk, Pakistan’s leading football media platform. He oversees editorial content and regularly contributes match reports, player profiles, and tactical features. You can reach him at [email protected]