TEN-MAN BANGLADESH HOLDS INDIA TO A DRAW

Action from the match

BY SUSIL PREMALAL - REPORTING FROM THE MALDIVES

'Ten-man Bangladesh came back from a goal down to hold the seven-time champions India to a 1-1 draw in their SAFF Football Championship match played at the National Stadium in the Maldives yesterday. Bangladesh were down to 10-men after key player B. Choch was handed a red card following an infringement in the 56th minute of the game. However, Bangladesh never gave up their hopes and found the equaliser in the 74th minute when Y. Arafat netted a header following a clean corner-kick.

Earlier, India took the initiative and went ahead in the 26th minute when Skipper Sunil Chhetri scored with the run of play to give them a 1-0 lead at half time. Bangladesh of course, started the game as the underdogs having won only two matches against India out of their 30 encounters. Bangladesh also took the top spot in the points table with four points having won one game and drawn one match.