Hosts Bangladesh managed a narrow 2-1 win over holders India to become Group-A champions in the SAFF Under-16 Championship at the Sylhet District Stadium on Thursday.
Mohammad Shawon put the home side ahead in the 31st minute before Rahim Ali cancelled out the lead in the 49th minute. But Atikuzzaman converted from the spot in 85th minute to give Bangladesh a morale-boosting win before the semi-final.
Bangladesh will now face Group B runners-up in the first semi-final on Sunday.
Nepal and Afghanistan will face off today to determine the standings of Group B with both teams winning their match against Maldives already.
Bangladesh’s win over India helped them avenge their 0-2 defeat in 2013 semi-final at Kathmandu against the same opponents.
Bangladesh drew the first blood in the half-an-hour mark when Shawon received the ball from Nipu in the middle of the box and took a side-volley to find the back of the net.
Shawon wasted a great chance to double the lead in the 40th minute when he tried another side-volley following a cross from Saad from the left flank that went over the cross bar.
India put pressure for the equaliser and reap reward at the start of the second half when Rahim entered the box to beat and onrushing Bangladesh keeper and slot the ball home from the edge of the box.
Sarwar Jamal Nipu, the lone forward, wasted a great chance in the 65th minute but helped his side to earn a penalty in the 85th minute when Indian defender Aymol brought him down inside the box.
Atikuzzaman made no mistake to beat the Indian keeper from the spot.
Bangladesh’s coach Syed Golam Jilani gave all credits to his charges for the win.
‘Our boys tried their best to give the nation moment of joy,’ he said.
Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Shawon said they were confident before facing the reigning champions.
‘Before the game we said if we play our natural game we have good chance to win it and finally we got it,’ said Shawon.
‘The match was fifty-fifty but we utilised the chance which gave us success.’
RESULT
Bangladesh 2 (Shawon 31, Atikuzzaman 85) v
India 1 (Rahim Ali 49)
Source:New Age
