India Top Group To Storm Into SAFF U-19 Semi-finals

India qualified for the SAFF U19 Championship semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Bhutan at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Monday.

India qualified for the SAFF U19 Championship semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Bhutan at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Monday. Both the teams were locked 1-1 at half-time. Jigme Namgyel gave Bhutan the lead in the 20th minute but India bounced back through goals from Gwgwmsar Goyary and Ricky Meetei. India went into the Group B match with an upperhand, having defeated Bangladesh 3-0. To add to that, Bhutan's 4-3 victory against Bangladesh meant that India needed only a draw to secure the top spot in the group and subsequently, a place in the semifinals.

In the semifinal, India will cross swords with the hosts Nepal on Wednesday.

A tight contest ensued in the middle of the park as the two sides looked to gain control of the game.

India looked to overload the wings as Raja Harijan sent searching aerial through balls onto the flanks.

However, against the run of play, it was Bhutan who took the lead through Namgyel, whose cross from the right flank fooled everyone and crept into the top corner.