Bangladesh were robbed off a well deserved victory over defending champions India as Sri Lankan referee Crishantha D Perera’s controversial call allowed India to pull out a 1-1 draw in the group A match of the Saff Championship at the Armed Forces Stadium yesterday.
Bangladesh were just seconds away from registering a notable victory over India in a match that was crucial for the men in red and green when the Sri Lankan referee awarded India a free kick in the last minute of match.
Perera’s hostile attitude was evident as he made the decision that led to the defending champions leveling the contest at the eleventh hour.
Bangladesh skipper Mamunul Islam was about to clear an aerial ball when Indian forward and skipper Sunil Chhetri tumbled upon him. Mamun failed with his clearance attempt – but the crowd were left stunned by the referee’s decision to award India a free kick.
Chhetri curved the ball low into the near post net to salvage a draw for India.
Earlier, Bangladesh put on a solid performance which demonstrated determination and fighting spirit. The team made three changes from the last game - Ariful, Wahed and Jahid making way for Mobarak, Sohel Rana and debutant Omar Faruk Babu - in the starting eleven.
Bangladesh appeared to be a tough nut to crack as Indian stars Sunil Chettry, JeJe Lalpekula and Mehtab Hossain failed impose the dominance for which they are known, while Bangladesh focused on maintaining possession of the ball in the context of a defensive strategy.
India missed a good chance in the 10th minute when right back Francisco Fernandes neat curved cross reached Sunil Chhetri, whose volley flew over the goalpost. Bangladesh’s best chance of the first half came in the 29th minute when Emily’s surprise back-heel from a low corner was saved by Indian keeper Subrata Paul. India also threatened to score in the 36th minute when Fernandez’s side volley again flew over the top.
The second half saw some thrilling moments as well. In the 60th minute, Mobarak’s low cross was guided towards goal by Sohel Rana but a deflection saw it go for a corner. At the other end, Fernandez skipped through the Bangladesh defence with superb footwork but his shot from close range his the outside of the net in the 71st minute.
Bangladesh put pressure on the Indian defence in the last 15 minute and won a series of corners in the process. Skipper Mamunul Islam entered the field in the 80thminute and presented Bangladesh a golden chance with his first touch on the ball. He took two corners and curved a low oneflew to the feet of Atikur Rahman Mishu, whose fierce left footer crashed into the Indian net to give Bangladesh a 1-0 lead.
Bangladesh was just seconds away of registering its first victory over India since 2003 when the Sri Lankan referee’s questionable call led to the match being leveled. Many of the Bangladeshi players cried openly when the final whistle blew.
Bangladesh, who lost their first match 0-2 to Nepal, will play Pakistan in their last group match on Thursday.
