Bangladesh finished as runners-up of the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 in Bhutan after suffering a 2-0 defeat to India in the final at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu Sunday.
It was Bharat Lairenjam who put India, the defending champions, ahead in the eighth minute as he drove the ball in between the legs of Bangladesh goalkeeper Nahidul Islam to find the net.
Bangladesh responded quickly but Mohammad Murshed Ali failed to convert a great opportunity after losing control on a one-on-one with Indian keeper Suraj Singh in the 18th minute.
Nahidul produced a flying save to deny a header in the 34th minute as the holders went to the break with the 1-0 lead.
Levis Zangminlun doubled the lead for India in the 73rd minute with a left-footed strike from the right side of the box, firing into the near post.
India concluded the six-team campaign unbeaten to clinch their fifth championship title of the competition.
Bangladesh, the two-time winners, managed to beat Nepal in the group stage and Pakistan in the semi-finals.