The SAFF Championship is a biennial international tournament. India is the most successful team with 7 Titles. The Indian Football Team played their opening match of the SAFF Championship 2021 against Bangladesh at the National Football Stadium in Malé, the Maldives on Monday, 04 October.
However, the result was disappointing from an Indian perspective. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has won their opening match against Sri Lanka on 1st October by 1-0. The SAFF Championship 2021 consists of five teams, hosts and defending champions Maldives, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The final will be played between the top two teams in the table.
The Indian Team coached by Igor Štimac had held a Friendly Tour in September as they visited Nepal to play against the home team in preparation for the SAFF Championship, resulting in a disappointing performance as had a 1-1 Draw in 1st Friendly Match, then a 2-1 Win in the 2nd – leading to fans criticising Igor Štimac.
Starting XI for India
The line-up is out 🙌#BANIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/7YHsNjZgY9
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 4, 2021
Starting XI for Bangladesh
Today's 🇧🇩 starting XI against India 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/4IyTiMHUaL
— Bangladesh Football Live (@bdfootballlive1) October 4, 2021
Leading up to the match, Stats showing that the Head-to-Head results between India vs Bangladesh is 14 wins for The Blue Tigers whereas 4 for Bangladesh in 27 Matches Played against each other.
SAFF Championship 2021: India vs Bangladesh Match Report
In the early minutes of the game – Bangladesh dominated to create many opportunities but just couldn’t find the finish and had put a lot of pressure on the Indian defence.
Though playing away from home, many Bangladesh fans were present to support their team, creating a home-like vibe.
In 26′- the opening goal of the match scored by the Indian Skipper Sunil Chhetri, as he kicks the ball to the top corner, was assisted by Udanta Singh.
Throughout the match, Bangladesh was more threatening. The Indian Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the 39th Minute, made a great Save to deny Bangladesh an equalizer.
The half-Time score read India 1-0 Bangladesh
At 54’ a Red Card for Bangladesh’s defender Bishwanath Ghosh and they are now a man down.
Well, the 10-Man Bangladesh then through a Corner scored an equalizer – a diving header by 18-year-old Yeasin Arafat as he registers his 1st Goal for the national team in the 74′ Minute.
As a result, Full-Time: India 1-1 Bangladesh in The SAFF Championship 2021 Group Stage Match. However, India will next face Sri Lanka on 7th October.
FULL TIME! ⌛️
The referee brings the match to a close, as both India and Bangladesh share the spoils today.
🇧🇩 1-1 🇮🇳
✍️: https://t.co/FQdxCjDkBp#BANIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/VZ3Gsg3SbW
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 4, 2021
