Bangladesh ended their campaign in the SAFF U-17 Championship 2024 as runners-up after losing to India by 0-2 goals in the final match at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu on Monday.

After a barren first half, India’s Mohammed Kaif broke the deadlock with a header off a cross from captain Mate Ngamgouhou in the 58th minute.

Bangladesh got the second blow when Md Arbash struck the second goal with a right-footed shot from inside the box to seal the fate of the match in the added (90+5th) minute.  

The two-time champions Bangladesh lost to India by the same 0-2 goals margin in the final of the 2023 edition, which was held at the U-16 age level, at the same venue in September.  

Bangladesh boys even started their campaign in this age-level tournament, which was held at the U-17 level, with a 0-1 goal defeat to the six-time champions India in their Group A opener.

Bangladesh, who earned just one point after a 1-1 draw with Maldives in the group stage, qualified in the semifinals of this edition as India beat Maldives by 3-0 goals.  

But the U-17 boys showed an impressive showcase in the semifinals and reached the final after beating Pakistan by 8(2)-7(2).

Coming from 0-2 goals behind, Bangladesh scored two equalizers in the second half and sent the match to the tiebreaker where Bangladesh goalkeeper Nahidul Islam denied Pakistan’s Abdul Ghani in the sudden death to confirm the crucial victory.

Bangladesh created two more chances after conceding the first goal but failed to utilise due to lack of finishers.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh clinched first title of this age-level meet beating India 4(1)-2(1) goals in the 2015 (U-16) edition in Sylhet and the second title after beating Pakistan by 3(1)-2(1) in the 2018 (U-15) edition in Nepal.

BDST: 1053 HRS, OCT 01, 2024
MN/SMS