SAFF Championship: India begin quest for 8th title with disappointing 1-1 draw vs 10-man Bangladesh

Bangladesh held India to a 1-1 draw to take the lead in the standings of the SAFF Championship 2021 being played in the Maldives.

The Indian football team opened its campaign in the SAFF Championship with a disappointing draw against 10-man Bangladesh at the Maldives National Stadium in Male on Sunday. India are chasing their 8th SAFF title in this edition, which was postponed twice due to the coronavirus crisis.

Sunil Chhetri scored for the Blue Tigers in the 26th minute to give India the lead but it was cancelled out by Yeasin Arafat in the 74th minute despite Bangladesh being reduced to 10 men after Bishwanath Ghosh was sent off in the 54th minute.