India beat Pakistan 3-1 to enter SAFF Cup final

Defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 in a tense semi-final at the Bangabandhu Stadium on Wednesday to book their place in the SAFF Cup final.

Striker Manvir Singh scored twice and substitute Sumit Passi added another as India secured a convincing victory despite being reduced to 10 men late in the match.

India will face Maldives in the final on Saturday after Maldives defeated Nepal 3-0 in the other semi-final.

After a goalless first half, India broke the deadlock in the 49th minute through Manvir. The striker doubled the advantage 20 minutes later before Passi effectively sealed the contest with India's third goal in the 83rd minute.

Pakistan's Hassan Bashir scored in the 88th minute, but the late effort was not enough to change the outcome.

India's opening goal came from a swift counter-attack. Ashique Kuruniyan sprinted down the left flank before sending a low cross into the box, where Manvir arrived to tap the ball home and send the Indian supporters into celebration.

The second goal came after substitute Lallianzuala Chhangte, who had replaced Nikhil Poojary in the 68th minute, immediately injected pace into the attack.

Chhangte carried the ball through the middle and moved past two defenders before finding Vinit Rai. Rai then played the ball to Manvir, who fired a powerful shot into the net from the top of the penalty area.

Manvir was subsequently forced to leave the field following a challenge, with coach Stephen Constantine bringing on Passi.

The substitute made an instant impact. In the 83rd minute, Ashique again created the opportunity from the left, delivering a cross for Passi, who headed the ball home to put India 3-0 ahead.

The match then took another dramatic turn when Chhangte was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Pakistan's Mohsin Ali. Mohsin was also sent off following his involvement in the incident, leaving both teams with 10 players.

Pakistan had threatened early in the match, but India had the first clear opportunity in the 10th minute when Manvir failed to connect cleanly with Ashique's well-delivered cross.

Pakistan goalkeeper Yusuf Butt then produced several important saves to keep his side in the contest during the first half. His most impressive stop came when he denied Subhashish Bose's volley following a corner from Anirudh Thapa.

India also survived a major scare in the 39th minute when Pakistan won an indirect free-kick near the edge of the six-yard box. Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith responded with two quick saves to prevent Pakistan from taking the lead.

The victory continues India's strong record in the regional competition and sets up another important final against Maldives. With the defending champions now one match away from retaining their title, the final on Saturday will provide India an opportunity to add another SAFF Cup trophy to their collection.