It was heartbreak for India's young footballers as they went out of title contention at the 10th South Asian Games after a 5-6 loss on penalties to hosts Sri Lanka.
The match rolled into the penalty shoot-out as the two teams finished goalless in regulation time, and were tied 1-1 even after half an hour of extra-time.
The thrilling tie-breaker, that moved into the sudden death, saw fortunes fluctuating.
India's Lalramluaha, Rakesh Masih and Reisangmi Vashum missed out, as the host nation's Nuwantha Pharak netted the eighth spot kick to propel his side to the final.
During extra-time, India went ahead from a spot-kick after playmaker H Noaba Singh, who had a splendid game, was fouled in the Lankan penalty area.
Midfielder Lalramluaha made no mistake, scoring with a deft left-footer past custodian S Sandun Devinda in the seventh minute.
But with India just moments away from a place in the final, Hirohito Elangbam handled the ball inside the penalty area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot. S Perera scored past Shilton Paul to restore parity for the hosts.
With the teams still locked 4-4 after five penalties each, the match went into sudden death. Rakesh Masih and Reisangmi Vashum missed from their kicks while Nuwantha Pharak scored the decisive spot-kick to send the hosts into the final amidst scenes of great joy at the Sugathadasa stadium.
India had sent an Under-20 team to the regional Games to prepare them for the Asian Youth Championships that start in Bangalore on October 29.
Sri Lanka will now face the winners of the second semi-final, between Pakistan and Nepal. The losers will fight it out with India for the bronze medal.
