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This is an archive article published on January 21, 2003
India beat Pak, finish third
Having failed to defend their title, India salvaged some pride by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan with a dramatic golden goal to clinch the t...
Written by Press Trust Of India
Dhaka | January 21, 2003 12:00 AM IST
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2 min read
Having failed to defend their title, India salvaged some pride by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan with a dramatic golden goal to clinch the third place in the South Asian Football Federation SAFF tournament here today.
Striker Abhishek Yadav struck the brilliant golden goal early in the extra time as the Indians avenged last week8217;s defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals with a 2-1 victory in a fast-paced and surcharged encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The depleted Indians, fighting for the third position after their quest for a hat-trick of titles was brought to an end by Bangaldesh in the semi-finals on Saturday, appeared more determined to make amends for their shock defeat in the inaugural match.
Veteran striker I M Vijayan, who has been hardly impressive right through the championship, put the defending champions in the lead in the 66th minute of the contest, heading in a cross from Alvito D8217;Cunha.
But the euphoria was shortlived as the Pakistanis restored parity within four minutes with the hard-working Sarfaraz Rasool heading home a pass from Ayaz Mohammad. It was Abhishek Yadav who came to the rescue of the Indians by producing a gem of a goal in the ninth minute of extra time after both the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
The young Yadav showed fine reflexes as he brilliantly headed in a cross from Roberto Fernandes much to the delight of his teammates. The Pakistani custodian made a desperate attempt but could not stop the ball from going in.
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