India vs Pakistan SAFF semi-final, Blue Tigers win 3-1: As it happened

FULL TIME:

Defending champions India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1, go through to the final of SAFF Championship 2018. 

Four minutes of stoppage time have been added: 

Hassan Bashir scored his third goal of the #SAFFSuzukiCup, but will it make a difference? 4 minutes of stoppage time to go. #INDvsPAK

— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) September 12, 2018

Finally, Pakistan make a breakthrough! 

This is for the first time this tournament, India's goalie Vishal Kaith concedes a goal, courtesy of a brilliant long-range effort from Pakistan's No. 10 Hassan Bashir. 

India 3 - 1 Pakistan 

A brawl breaks between the team sides. A couple of red cards shown too!

86' India's Lallianzuala Chhangte and Pakistan's Mohsin Ali are both shown red cards. #SAFFSuzukiCup #INDvsPAK

— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) September 12, 2018

GOALLLLLL!

Wow! 

Manvir Singh gets injured, the player who substitutes him, Sumit Passi makes an impact immediately after coming on! He makes it 3-0 for India!

Hope Manvir is not badly injured:

82' Manvir is being stretchered off as Passi prepares to enter the field of play in his place for the @IndianFootball team.

IND 2-0 PAK#BackTheBlue #INDvPAK

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) September 12, 2018

The atmosphere in Dhaka's Bangabandhu National Stadium right now:

77' Jeetega bhai jeetega, India Jeetega- chants are revebarating around the stadium.

IND 2-0 PAK#INDvPAK #BackTheBlue #AsianDream #SaffSuzukiCup

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 12, 2018

Chhangte impresses with his quick feet but his cross into the box is over hit and the danger fades. Another sigh of relief for Pakistan.

India 2-0 Pakistan 

GOAAAALLLLL!

It's Manvir Singh again!

Great work from substitute Chhangte, who replaces Nikhil, to begin the attack. He passes it to Vinit Rai, who rolls it into the path of Manvir, who shoots the second one.

India 2 - 0 Pakistan

66' - Meanwhile, Indian players, Hitesh Sharma, Vignesh D and Sajid Dhot, are seen warming up on the other side of the pitch. Substitutions coming up soon.

Manvir attacks again, but this time his cross was not up to the mark. A sigh of relief for Pakistan. 

Now, the Men in Green and White look to make something from the counter counter-attacking but India's Subhashish Bose is there strong and tall.

First Manvir Singh was tackled wrongly and now Farukh on the right flank. India are given another free-kick. Pakistan clearly are frustrated here. 

GOALLLLLLLLL! 

49' - India's No. 9, Manvir Singh finally draws FIRST BLOOD! The FC Goa player goes past his marker, collects a superb cross from Ashique before tapping it past Pakistani goalie Yusuf Butt. 

Blue Colts goes 1-0 up in this semi-final. 

Second half resumes in Dhaka! 

India 0 - 0 Pakistan

Pakistan scared the defending champions towards the end of first half. Somehow, the Indians managed to defend. 

Half-time whistle! India 0 -  0 Pakistan

Neeraj Poojary has some action of his own before Pakistan's Saddam heads the danger away. 

An error from India now gifts Pakistan another free-kick. 

Just after the intense set piece from Pakistan, India attack. Using full pace, Farukh shoots and sees his shot roll inches past the far post.

40' - THAT WAS DAMN CLOSE!

That's a spectacular save from Vishal Kaith!

Pakistan earn an indirect free-kick inside the box before India's goalie Vishal does his job beautifully, again. 

This match is getting more thrilling with every passing moment. 

36'

India's Ashique shoots another cross but Pakistan's keeper Yusuf Butt catches it. 

Still no goal. 

India, ranked No. 96 should be dominating these 201-ranked opponents. But, that's not happening right now. 

Some amazing footballing scenes in Dhanka!

33' A sizeable amount of turnout to witness the #INDvPAK clash in Dhaka and both the teams are enjoying a good support. Drum beating, Chhering, Jeering everything is here. A perfect stage for football.

IND 0-0 PAK#INDvPAK #BackTheBlue #AsianDream #SaffSuzukiCup

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 12, 2018

30 minutes up

Nikhil goes past his marker before shooting a cross. Ends with a goal-kick for Pakistan. 

The play resumes & there goes another chance for India!

Ashique makes room for a shot before shooting at the goal. Pakistani goalie was quick to deny him that.

Pakistan goalkeeper is flat on the ground, seems in pain. He needs some medical attention now. 

Oh, Manvir Singh!

Farukh Choudhary breaks into the heart of Pakstan defence, cuts back Manvir, who right foots but is saved by Pakistan goalkeeper. Sixth corner of the game for the Blue Colts.

20 minutes into the first half:

Pakistan are trying to mount their attack, Indians so far have managed to keep that in check. India's Nikhil Poojary meanwhile shows off some of his defensive skills as he tackles down a Pakistani attacker.

Just another glance at the playing XIs:

Starting XI#AsianDream #BackTheBlue #WeAreIndia pic.twitter.com/oGIWSMAL61

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 12, 2018

India are gaining the possession here.

Pakistan's Bose makes his way into the box but his effort is blocked. 

This time, India goes so close!

India's Manvir tries to break on the counter, but his freaky header is saved by the opponents. 

Scenes before the kickoff:

Go, Blue Colts!

All set boys. Best or luck to you. #INDvPAK #BackTheBlue #SaffSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/21Txu5Da9Q

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 12, 2018

Oh, that was close!

Pakistan almost head one home from a set-piece, but that goes narrowly wide off Kaith's goal.

Trivia: 

The last time that Pakistan beat seven-time champions India was in 2005, a 3-0 win in Lahore. Overall, India have a 4-1 advantage when it comes to SAFF Cup matches.

The battle for a place in the SAFF: India vs Pakistan kicks off in Dhaka!