Bangladesh squandered a 2-0 first-half lead before being held to a 2-2 by Maldives in their first match of the SAFF Under-19 Championship at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Arunachal Pradesh, India, on Friday.
Golam Rabbani Choton鈥檚 charges also missed three scoring opportunities in the first half, but they were unable to create any meaningful chances in the second half.
Bangladesh captain and midfielder Nazmul Huda Foysal and forward Rifat Kazi scored once each, while substitute forward Ahnoof Abdullah and forward Ethan Ibrahim Zaki pulled two goals back for Maldives.
Foysal gave Bangladesh the lead in the 13th minute with a powerful right-footed drive from the top of the box after intercepting the ball from Maldives captain Azham Rasheed, who was attempting to collect a cross from Laamih Imthiyaz.
听Later, Rifat, Sumon Soran, and Samuel Raksam all squandered a chance apiece before Rifat extended his advantage for Bangladesh in the 45th minute.
Foysal took a corner from the left, Mithu Chowdhury chipped it over the defenders, and Rifat headed the ball home from the goalmouth.
Maldives returned to the game in the 66th minute when Ahnoof鈥檚 slippery attempt from the box went to the back of the net following a cross by Nassah Ibrahin Nasir from the left.
Maldives were trying hard for the equaliser, and they got it in the 79th minute when Zaki鈥檚 shot from the top of the box beat Bangladesh goalkeeper Ismail Hossain Mahin, following a cross by Hamza.
In their other match of three-team Group A, Bangladesh will face Bhutan at the same venue on Sunday.
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