Bangladesh Under-20 Football team advances to semi-finals after drawing with India in a tense match. The group stage match held in Male, the capital of Maldives, ended in a 1-1 draw.
The match held on Saturday was filled with attacks and counter-attacks from the start. India took the lead in the 17th minute through Vishal Yadav's header from a corner. However, Bangladesh tried to turn things around after falling behind.
The red-green team equalized in the last minute of added time of the first half. Substitute player Abdul Riyad Fahim scored a great volley from Ronan Sullivan's corner to bring Bangladesh back into the match.
The match also witnessed tension in the dugouts of both teams. An argument broke out between the coaching staff of the two teams on the touchline, and the referee showed a yellow card to an Indian support staff member and a red card to Bangladesh head coach Mark Cox.
Both teams played attacking football in the second half, but no more goal was scored. Goalkeeper Mahin's brilliant save at a crucial moment kept Bangladesh in the match.
Despite getting 4 points, Bangladesh finished runners-up on goal difference. India became the group champions.
Bangladesh's opponents in the semi-finals as runners-up will be Nepal. On the other hand, group champions India will face Bhutan.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
