Bangladesh Under-23 football team finished fourth by virtue of goal difference after playing out a goalless draw against India in the AFC Under-23 Championship-2016 Qualifiers in their 3rd and last Group-E match at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
Syria emerged group champions with an all-win record, beating Uzbekistan 2-1 in a group deciding match Tuesday afternoon at the same venue. They now qualify for the final round of the AFC U-23 championship to be held in Qatar next year.
In the day’s match Bangladesh created pressure in the second half and had got some opportunity to convert, but failed.
Bangladesh defender Yeasin Khan spoiled a golden opportunity as his header went out edging to far post in the 60th minute. Captain Sohel Rana curved a cross from the right flag to middle of the box where defender Yeasin Khan headed the ball wide.
In the 75th minute captain Sohel Rana saw his free kick from the edge of the box go over the crossbar. Both teams ended the group matches with one point each.
But Bangladesh finished with a goal difference of minus 8, while India just edged them into third with a goal difference of minus 6.
Earlier, India had a chance to move ahead in the 40th minute but forward Holy Charan Narzary header on Abinash Rui Das cross from the left side was saved by Bangladesh goalie Liton for corner.
Bangladesh and India were already eliminated from the meet with one match to go after conceding two straight defeats against Syria and Uzbekistan.
Bangladesh lost to Syria and Uzbekistan by the same 4-0 scoreline, with the gulf in class between the South Asian teams and their West Asian counterparts too apparent throughout.
India lost 2-0 against Uzbekistan in the opener and lost to Syria by the same 4-0 scoreline as the hosts.
