FT: BAN 1-1 IND

It’s all over! India somehow clear the danger and the referee blows for full-time. The ten men of Bangladesh have held on for a point. It is a deserved point against an Indian team who just were not at the races on the day. Chhetri’s opener in the first half cancelled out by Yeasin Arafat’s second-half goal. It’s a point apiece for India and Bangladesh. Big concerns for Igor Stimac.

90+3’ BAN 1-1 IND

Free kick to Bangladesh. With seconds left on the clock, the ten men of Bangladesh will look to snatch all three points

83’ BAN 1-1 IND

India huffing and puffing but Bangladesh are pumped up and giving nothing away. India need to compose themselves but they haven’t done that all game. It’s pretty much hit and hope for India now even with a man more.

73’ BAN 1-1 IND

GOOOOOOOOOOAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL! BANGLADESH ARE LEVEL! Yeasin Arafat completely unmarked at the far post nods home the equaliser. The ten men have parity and we can’y say it hasn’t been coming.

63’ BAN 0-1 IND

Bangladesh continue to be dangerous on the counter-attack. It needed a well-times tackle from Subhasish Bose to prevent Bangladesh from having a clear shot at goal. India need to organise themselves better as they are leaving themselves vulnerable to Bangladesh counter-attacks even with numerical superiority.

63’ BAN 0-1 IND

Rahim Ali has come on for Udanta Singh.

60’ BAN 0-1 IND

DOUBLE SAVE! Brilliant from the Bangladesh goalkeeper to first deny Manvir Singh and then Udanta Singh. The game is stretched as ten men Bangladesh are continuing to throw numbers forward during counter-attacks.

58’ BAN 0-1 IND

Lalngmawia (Apuia) has replaced Liston Colaco.

54’ BAN 0-1 IND

RED CARD! Ghosh is sent off for a last-man challenge on Liston Colaco. Bangladesh down to ten men.

51’ BAN 0-1 IND

WHAT A CHANCE! How did Bangladesh miss that? Almost a carbon copy of India’s goal but Rakib fails to apply the finishing touch with the goal gaping. A huge let-off for India.

49’ BAN 0-1 IND

Chhetri almost steals the ball from Taariq in a very dangerous area but the defender recovers in time to see if off for a goal kick. India almost profited there.

46’ BAN 0-1 IND

Second half begins. Brandon Fernandes has come on in place of Anirudh Thapa.

HT: BAN 0-1 IND

Not a great half of football but Sunil Chhetri’s goal is the difference at the break. India improved as the half wore on but Bangladesh have competed well in the game.

39’ BAN 0-1 IND

SAVE! This time it’s Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who keeps India in front. Bangladesh launch a counter-attack from an Indian corner and almost punish India. Gurpreet with a good save to his left. India were exposed there. The game has suddenly come alive.

37’ BAN 0-1 IND

SAVE! Sunil Chhetri almost creates something out of nothing as he makes space for a shot and almost finds the top corner. The Bangladesh keeper is alert to the danger and parries the ball away

26’ BAN 0-1 IND

GOOOOOOOOOAAALLLLLLLLL! INDIA LEAD AND WHO ELSE! SUNIL CHHETRI SCORES. Bangladesh go off to sleep as Pritam Kotal releases Udanta Singh in space. The Bengaluru FC winger cuts it back to Chhetri who makes no mistake.

23’ BAN 0-0 IND

A half chance for India as Manvir Singh gets on the end of a cross from the left but his effort is straight to the goalkeeper after bouncing of the Bangladesh defender.

20’ BAN 0-0 IND

Bangladesh will be the happier of the two teams, they’re denying any sort of space and Igor Stimac’s men have so not been able to string moves together in tight spaces.

13’ BAN 0-0 IND

Bangladesh happy to sit back and absorb the pressure but India have been inaccurate with their passing and have struggled to progress the ball into the final third. India will need better precision to break down Bangladesh who have been very comfortable so far.

13’ BAN 0-0 IND

Bangladesh happy to sit back and absorb the pressure but India have been inaccurate with their passing and have struggled to progress the ball into the final third. India will need better precision to break down Bangladesh who have been very comfortable so far.

6’ BAN 0-0 IND

A really sloppy start to the game. Both teams giving the ball away. Have to say the pitch doesn’t seem to be the greatest but both teams still haven’t found their feet.

1’ BAN 0-0 IND

KICK OFF! The game is underway in Male.

4:27 pm: Almost time

National anthems done and the action is just minutes away.

4:15pm: India have a dominant record against Bangladesh

4:05pm: Udanta comes straight back, Liston Colaco stats

India XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Rahul Bheke, Pritam Kotal, Chinglensana Singh, Subhasish Bose, Glan Martins, Anirudh Thapa, Udanta Singh, Sunil Chhetri (C), Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of Indian men’s football team’s opening match of the SAFF Championship against Bangladesh. The Blue Tigers will start as favourites to win this tournament and will hope to begin on a winning note. Can Igor Stimac’s side solve their goalscoring woes in this tournament? Stick around for all the Live updates.