Bangladesh Under-18 football recorded an incredible 4-3 victory as they came back from 0-3 down to beat favorites India in the inaugural match of the SAFF U-18 Football at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on Monday.
India took early lead as Lolhhlimpuia Daniel scored the first goal in the 18th minute (1-0).
Bangladesh went all out to reduce the margin but instead saw Edmund doubled the lead for India in the 32nd minute.
To add salt to Bangladesh wound Rebello Princeton made it 3-0 for India as he found the net in the three minutes into extra times of the first half (3-0).
Brave Bangladesh booters were in mood to throw away the towel as they came back smoking in the second half with great determination to come back in the match.
It took great resilience as the boys in red and green made a excellent fight back in the second half scoring three goals in a span of 19 minutes.
Ten minutes into the second half, striker Jafar Iqbal pulled one back for Bangladesh in the 55th minute (3-1). Five minutes later Rahmat Mia further reduced the margin in the 60t minute (3-2).
It was all the way Bangladesh as they mounted waves of attack forcing Indian defense line to crumble they restore the parity in the 74th minute (3-3) when Mohammad Sufin found the net amidst cheer in the Bangladesh camp.
Bangladesh booters were still not satisfied and to the dismay of the Indians fans, remarkable under-18 youths sealed the fate of the match with the cherished winning goal coming in the 91st minute of the match (4-3).
It was Jafar Iqbal who hogged the headlines again for Bangladesh as he not only scored his second goal but also scored the winning fourth goal at the fag end of the match.
Bangladesh will play against all the four other participants in the championship – India, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan – as the tournament format was shifted to a round robin one after the late withdrawal of Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh will play their second match against the Maldives on September 20 before facing defending champions Nepal on September 25. The boys in red and green will end their campaign with the game against hosts Bhutan on September 27.
Bangladesh U-18 squad: Osai Mong Marma, Mohammad Al-Amin, Pappu Hossain, Monir Alam, Biplo Ahamed, Mahamudul Hasan Kiron, Mahbubur Rahman, Mohammad Atikuzzaman, Tutul Hosain Badsha, Jafar Iqbal, Riyadul Hasan, Mahfuz Hasan Pritom, Rahmat Mia, Bishwanath Ghosh, Zahid Hasan Linkcon, Sohanur Rahman, Mohammed Rahim Uddin, M Shadin, Shaikat Mahmud, Sarower Zaman Nipu, Sabbir Ahmmed, Isa Faysal and Anik Ghosh.
