Goalkeeper Mehdi Hasan denied India twice in the penalty shootout to help Bangladesh secure a place in the SAFF U-15 Championship final with a 4-2 win in tiebreakers at the ANFA Complex ground in Kathmandu yesterday.

Substitute Ashikur Rahman scored in the 93rd minute to cancel out a 17th minute strike from India midfielder Patre Harsh Shailesh, forcing the day's first semifinal into shootouts.

Bangladesh's second choice goalkeeper Mehdi then stood tall under the bar, thwarting India's first two attempts and paving the way to victory.

Touhidul Islam, Raja Ansari, Kamran Uddin Raju and Rostom Islam Dhuku Mia converted the first four shots to ensure Bangladesh's place in the final for the second time in five editions. When Bangladesh last reached the final, in the third edition held in Sylhet, they became champions.

Although the boys in red and green stormed into the last-four battle with two convincing victory over Maldives and Nepal, they seemed to be playing without a purpose against a well organised India, who took the lead in the through a long range strike from Shailesh.

After conceding, Bangladesh pressed for the equaliser but could hardly make it to the attacking third as India's defenders held a solid backline, giving no room to the boys in red and green who relentlessly whipped crosses in from either flank.

However, the continued pressure in the second half finally told when a Bangladesh forward was brought down inside the box. In turn, Ashikur kept cool under pressure and converted from the spot. The stage was then set for Mehdi, deputising for the suspended Mitul Marma, to shine.

Interestingly, Bangladesh underwent a special penalty training session as a part of their preparations for the semifinals.

"It is really great news for all of us that we have qualified for the final. I am also happy to contribute to the triumph," Mehdi said. "However, we should not dwell on this win, rather we have to be realistic; we still have one match left to become champions.

"We have to give an all-out effort in the final. If we can win the final, then we will be able to hoist the flag of Bangladesh on foreign soil and that is our target," the goalkeeper added.

Bangladesh coach Mostafa Anwar Parvez Babu was ecstatic with having taken his charges to the final. The last edition in 2017 saw Bangladesh eliminated from the semifinals following a 4-2 defeat to Nepal.

"India were a very strong side and we conceded against the run of play. The boys tried to play in line with the game plan and got a few scoring chances but could not score against India," Parvez told the media. "The boys finally equalised after working hard and I really felt happy to take them to the final."

Bangladesh will play the final on Saturday against Pakistan, who beat Nepal 4-0 in the second semifinal.