SAFF U-20 Championship: Bangladesh draw with India

Sports Desk
Bangladesh drew 1-1 with India in their final group match of the SAFF Under-20 Championship at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives on Saturday. Despite trailing by a goal, Abdul Riyad Fahim equalised with an assist from Ronan Sullivan.

Sullivan, the 18-year-old Philadelphia Union Academy player whose brilliant double gave Bangladesh a 2-0 win over Pakistan in their opening match, once again shone at a crucial moment, providing an assist that secured Bangladesh second place in the group behind India.

As a result, Bangladesh will face Nepal in the semi-final on Wednesday, while India will face Bhutan in the other semi-final on the same day.

Although both India and Bangladesh finished the match with four points, India topped the group due to a one-goal lead.

With both teams already confirmed for the semi-finals, this match was a battle to determine the group champion. Defending champions India were stronger both at the start and end of the match.

Bangladesh coach Mark Cox made just one change to the defensive line from the playing XI against Pakistan; Ashiqur Rahman replaced Yusuf Ali. However, Ashiqur was forced off with an injury midway through the first half and was replaced by Fahim.

In the 17th minute of the match, Vishal Yadav broke the deadlock for India by heading home a corner kick from Omang Dodum.

Bangladesh’s somewhat physical football has led to several tense moments in the match. One heated exchange in the dugout led to Bangladesh head coach Mark Cox and India’s goalkeeper coach Sandeep Nandy being sent off the field.

Ten minutes of injury time were added to the first half due to repeated interruptions in the game. It was at that moment that Fahim equalised by volleying a goal at the far post from Sullivan’s curved corner.

The second half was a similar story. India maintained some dominance but Dodum squandered a few chances. Bangladesh also created some chances but lacked finishing. Despite this, they held their own and left the field with a draw.