2
LAHORE: One goal each by Mohammad Zeeshan and Mansoor Khan helped Pakistan annex the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-16 Championship title, edging out arch-rivals India 2-1 in the final in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday.
According to information released by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), it is the first victory of Pakistan in any age level competition since 2006, when Pakistan won the gold medal in the South Asian Games in an U-23 event under Bahraini coach Salman Sharida.
Pakistan broke the ice in the 23rd minute through Zeeshan’s speculative shot, which completely dodged Indian goalie Supritam.
India reiterated and earned the equaliser in the dying minutes of the first half through Daniel Lalhlimpua.
After the resumption, both the teams failed to keep the score board ticking.
But just five minutes into the completion of the regulation time, Pakistan struck the winner after a goalmouth melee, which ended with striker Mansoor banging the home with a fine goal to seal the fate of the match.
Mansoor Khan also earned the award for the best player of the tournament. The Pakistan team will return to Karachi on Thursday at 7.20pm.
Meanwhile, PFF secretary Col (retd) Ahmad Yar Lodhi said head coach Sajjad Mehmood and coach Hassan Baloch deserved full credit for the win.
Earlier, hosts Nepal beat Bangladesh 2-1 to finish third.
