Mehdi hasan srabon

Mohammed Rabby Hossen Rahul: The India U20 men’s football team lost to Bangladesh 3-4 on penalties after being held 1-1 in regulation time in the semifinal of the SAFF U20 Championship at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Monday. Bangladesh, who led 1-0 at the breather, will meet hosts Nepal in the final on Wednesday.

Two crucial penalty saves by Bangladesh’s substitute goalkeeper Mohammed Asif led to the defending champions India’s ouster from the tournament.

Both teams displayed commendable defensive organisation, but Asif’s brilliance under the bar in the penalty shootout separated the two sides. Asadul Islam Sakib put Bangladesh in the lead in the 36th minute, while India’s captain Ricky Meetei Haobam scored in the 74th minute to bring India back into the game.