India break Bangladesh hearts again

Bangladesh put up a dismal performance to exit from the SAFF U-17 Championship with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of India in the tournament's semifinal at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Monday.

After an uneventful first half, forward Thanglalsoun Gangte struck a brace for India before Mirajul Islam reduced the margin for Bangladesh, who went to take part in the event with a promise to play the final and beat India if they encounter them in the last hurdle of the six-team tournament.

Eventually, India once again broke Bangladesh hearts, having thrashed the boys in red and green 5-2 in the final of the SAFF U-20 Championship earlier in August this year.

On the back of netting 10 goals in the group-stage matches against Sri Lanka and Maldives, the charges of Paul Smalley could hardly expose the backline of India. On display were the lack of skills of the young players -- who have been together for one years at BFF Elite Academy and played the country's second top-tier league Bangladesh Championship League in just concluded season.

Like the national team, the U-20s seemed to play without purpose as they opted to prefer the aerial route to penetrate their opposition defence. India had arrived at the match on the back of a 3-1 loss to Nepal but Bangladesh's long-ball tactics failed to pile further pressure as the Indian defenders easily regained possession.

In the first half, Bangladesh were lacklustre while India came close to taking the lead twice but Gangte squandered both chances. The forward, however, made amends in the second half by striking twice in the span of nine minutes.

Six minutes from interval, India countered from the right flank before Gangte brilliantly smashed a powerful left-footer aimed at the top of the box to give India the lead. He then broke an off-side trap to tap in a low cross from his captain Vanlalpeka Guite in the 59th minute.

Bangladesh afterwards attempted to play a bit on the ground, and a change in approach paid dividends as Mirajul converted a penalty in the 63rd minute to set the platform for a comeback. However, Bangladesh could not find the equaliser due to the lack of composure in the attacking third, an aspect of the game where the U-20s should have executed much better, having been under the direct supervision of English technical director Paul Smalley for the past year.