Swami Vivekananda U20 NFC: SAI sink Nagaland on penalties to seal semis spot

• NARAINPUR — The Sports Authority of India (SAI) entered the semifinals of the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men's National Football Championship (NFC) 2025, as they beat Nagaland in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw at the end of 120 minutes, at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Friday.
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• SAI will face the defending champions, Delhi, in the semifinal on May 2.
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• Nagaland were off to a good start as midfielder Pulovi scored a tap-in from a loose ball in the 25th minute to give his side the lead. Oinam Romio Singh, with just 11 minutes into the second half, scored with a header to bring the Sports Authority of India back on level terms.
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• The game was up for grabs entering the extra time, and Nagaland's K Arap Konyak made the most out of it. The forward was in a perfect spot to convert the tap-in, in the 96th minute, giving Nagaland the lead once again. The celebrations, however, were short-lived as Sameer Gurung equalised again in the 107th minute with his left foot from inside the box, keeping SAI alive in the game.

Also read: Quarterfinal berth for Nagaland in Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men’s Football Championship

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• As the full-time whistle blew, a nerve-wracking penalty shootout awaited to decide the fate. Both SAI and Nagaland were on level terms after the first five shots each, before SAI goalkeeper K Rahul Kannan anticipated and saved Nagaland’s Haominlal’s penalty, giving his side a crucial edge in the sudden death.
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• Sameer, who had scored the extra-time equaliser, was up for the job once again. The midfielder delivered the winning penalty into the bottom-left corner to take SAI into the last four.
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• Earlier, Nagaland made the quarter-finals of the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men's National Football Championship from Group H after a 2-2 draw against Haryana. Bengal defeated Madhya Pradesh 3-0, but still finished third in the group with four points, while Haryana stood second with five points. Nagaland collected seven to top the table and set up a clash with Group G winners SAI in the quarterfinal.