Bangladesh had to remain content with runners-up place as they lost to defending champions India 2-0 in the final of the SAFF Under-17 Championship 2024 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Monday.
With the triumph, India increased their trophy tally in this competition to six, while Bangladesh remained at two.
After a goalless first half, Mohammed Kaif and Md Arbash scored once each in the second half to help India retain the title.
This was Bangladesh鈥檚 second loss to India in this edition of the tournament after they conceded a 1-0 defeat in the group stage.
In the match, pragmatic Bangladesh created a chance in the 14th minute before they nullified three Indian attempts in the 20th, 34th, and 36th minutes.
India continued their authority in the second half and got the lead in the 58th minute when an unmarked Kaif headed home the ball on a corner kick by Mate Ngamgouhou.
Saiful Bari Titu made double changes by calling in Joy Ahamed and Md Manik in place of Opu Rahman and Shofiq Rahman in the 62nd minute.
With the double substitution, Bangladesh started to put pressure on their opponent as a long range effort by Manik was saved by Indian goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam in the 79th minute.
With Bangladesh desperate for the equaliser, India doubled the margin in the fifth minute of the stoppage time from a counterattack.
Arbash fired the net with a left footed drive from the top of the box after a cross by Rishi Singh.
Earlier, Bangladesh reached the final with a nail-biting 8-7 win on penalties over Pakistan in the second semi-final, while India eased to a 4-2 win over Nepal in the other semi-final.