KARACHI, Dec 14: Goal-shy Pakistan ended their SAFF soccer championship campaign with a 1-0 loss as Bangladesh sneaked into the final courtesy Mohammad Sujan’s late first half spot kick at People’s Sports Complex on Wednesday. Three-time champions India, who squeezed past Maldives 1-0 earlier in the other semifinal, will face title-holders Bangladesh in Saturday’s final at 6.00pm.

Sorely missing their key striker Imran Hussain who got one-match suspension after his second yellow card against Maldives, Pakistan dominated the match with attacking soccer, but failed chiefly because of poor finishing.

After mostly keeping the ball in possession for some 15 minutes, Bangladesh were rattled when Pakistan made a dangerous incursion through Farooq Shah who was effectively checked by a defender in the box in the 18th minute.

Pakistan goalkeeper Jaffar Khan was quick to act when Bangladesh’s Mohammad Arman corner threatened the home side. Relying on star striker, Mohammad Essa Pakistan pressed for the opening goal, only to see Essa firing wide.

Bangladesh retaliated when Mohammed Rehman Munna tested Jaffar with an 18-yarder before Ariful Kabir Farhad zeroed in with a glancing header that was well taken by the goalie.

Despite being tightly marked by Bangladesh defenders, Essa again came close to scoring in the 33rd minute. The striker could have opened the scoring had he not taken too much time to act as Hasan Al Mamun dispossessed him with a great tackle.

Zesh Rehman headed a Zahid Hameed free kick but was unfortunate to hit a defender’s leg in the 35th minute. While Pakistan were on the attack, Bangladesh were also quick to react through Farhad’s 18-yard drive that sailed over the bar.

Banking on young Abdul Aziz, who was filling in Imran’s place, Pakistan made some darting runs but were badly let down by wayward shooting.

Adeel Ahmad operating down the right with probing runs cleverly set up Aziz who shot over the woodwork, while on the other end Alfaz Ahmed of Bangladesh came into action from the edge of the box, sending the ball over the bar.

While he was spearheading the attack, Aziz was also bolstering the defence by falling back to join the defenders. It was in the first half injury-time that Bangladesh were awarded a penalty kick after Aziz seemed to have hacked down Firoj Muhmud Hossain in the box.

Sujan made no mistake in putting his side ahead.

Pakistan got to an aggressive start after re-start, Adeel’s 20-yard drive saved by Bangladesh goalkeeper Aminul Hoque six minutes into second session.

Farooq twice came near equalising but wasted opportunities. Essa provided perfect pass, but Farooq squandered the promising opening, although Hoque was beaten in the 58th minute. Ten minutes later, Farooq ghosted past two defenders before sending the ball across the back-line.

Pakistan lost the bite and firepower in the later stages of the second half, although they made several substitutions but could not score the elusive equalizer. Zahid, who was yellow carded for rough play in the 69th minute, had the time and opportunity but late action deprived him of possession in the 75th minute.

On the other end, Bangladesh tried to increase their lead with Arman shooting a 20-yarder that went across the face of the goal.

Earlier, India did not face the kind of resistance being expected from the high-flying Maldives who fluffed golden chances in the first half.

Maldives, who spent most of the time and energy on marking Baichung Bhutia, tried through Ashfaq Ali and Thariq Ahmed who missed golden chances in the 32nd minute.

India went 1-0 up when a Climax Lawrence corner was slotted home by N.S. Manju after a mix-up by Maldives defenders in the 38th minute.

Lawrence, who received a yellow card in the 65th minute, was on target with header but was ruled offside in the 70th minute, while Abdul Hakkim found the cage off a lob but was also signalled for offside.

India will be missing Mehtab Hossain in the final after the player got his second yellow and a one-match suspension.