DHAKA, Sept 29, 2019 (BSS)- Bangladesh’s hopes to clinch the SAFF U-18
title was shattered after a nine-man Bangladesh conceded a 2-1 defeat to
India an ill-tempered final at the APF Stadium in Kathmandu on Sunday.
The match was marred by the verbal and physical brawl by the players of
the two teams to take the gloss of what was a thrilling final.
There was lot of desperation as these two sides had never won this title
in its previous two editions. India took an early lead before both sides were
reduced to 10 men over a scuffle.
Bangladesh leveled the margin before the break, but over-excitement got
the better of them, with skipper Yeasin Arafat seeing a second yellow for his
goal celebration as he took his shirt up to his head and covered his face
with it.
Bangladesh, however, played heart and soul with nine men to prevent India
from taking further lead and goalkeeper Shanto Kumar Ray displayed an
excellent performance.
But India was desperate to make it their day. And their dream came true in
the 90th minute when they scored the decisive goal, ending any hopes of a
comeback for the boys in red and green.
Bangladesh and India had come into the final with an identical record in
this campaign. They had played out a goalless draw in the group stages.
Nepal had won both the previous editions of the tournament defeating India
and Bangladesh in the 2015 and 2017 finals respectively. However, the hosts
crashed out in the group stages this time around finishing behind Bhutan and
Maldives in Group A.
Earlier, on way to the final, Bangladesh and India drubbed Bhutan and the
Maldives by 4-0 goals in both their respective semifinals.
Meanwhile, at the same day, Maldives beat Bhutan by 1-0 goal to attain
third place.
Squad:
Mohiuddin, Mitul Marma, Shanto Kumar Roy, Yeasin Arafat (captain), Uttam
Chandra Roy, Sadekujjaman Fahim, Emon Khan, Kazi Rahad Mia, Rakibul Hasan,
Rakibul Islam, Tanbir Hossain, M Ridoy, Fahim Morshed, Omar Farque Mithu,
Emon Ali, Sagor Hossain, Dipok Roy, Jamir Uddin, Foysal Ahmed, Samrat Ahmed,
Naiyem Hossain, Nihat Jaman Ucchash, Maraz Hossain and Amir Hakim Bappy.