In today’s SAFF U20 Championship match, Bangladesh's head coach, Mark Edward Cox of Ireland, was shown a red card and sent off from the bench as his side held India to a 1-1 draw.
With this result, both India and Bangladesh have earned four points from two matches, but India secured the top spot in Group B due to a superior goal difference of one goal. India took the lead in the 17th minute of the final group stage match played this afternoon at the Galolhu Stadium. Vishal Yadav scored India’s goal with a header from a corner taken by Omang Dodum.
A highly physical game was seen from both teams, and eight minutes of added time were shown at the end of the first half.
During this time, India's coach Mahesh Gawli was shown a yellow card by Maldivian referee Raif Rauf after he complained to the assistant referee, claiming a Bangladesh player fouled an Indian player during a header.
Immediately following this, Bangladesh's head coach, Mark, left his technical area and rushed toward the opposing bench, leading the referee to show him a direct red card and send him off.
Bangladesh equalized in the 10th minute of added time. MD Abdul Riyad Faheem, who came on as a substitute in this half, sent the ball into the net from a corner taken by Ronan Sullivan.
India had defeated Pakistan 3-0 in their first match, while Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-0. As group winners, India will face Group A runners-up Bhutan in the semifinals. Bangladesh will go up against Nepal, who finished top of Group A.
Both semifinal matches will be played on Wednesday. Following the match between Nepal and Bangladesh at 3:45 PM, India and Bhutan will face off at 8:30 PM that night.
