Xtra Time Web Desk: Favourites India were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh in the SAFF Championships opener on Monday. Sunil Chhteri scored for India while Yasir Arafat levelled the score for Bangladesh.
India football team captain Sunil Chettri scored in the 27th minute to give the lead to Blue Tigers. 37-year-old Chhetri, playing in his 121st match for India is a goal shy of legendary Brazillian Pele (77 goals from 92 matches). He is now in the fourth spot in the list of highest scorers among active footballers, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (111), Lionel Messi (79) and Iraq”s Ali Mabkhout (77).
India dominated the proceedings in the first half. The Blue Tigers also had a numerical advantage as Bangladesh player Biswanath Ghosh was showing the marching orders in the 54th minute for committing a foul on Liston Colaco.
But Igor Stimac”s men failed to stop the swift counter-attacking Bangladeshis on their tracks and conceded a goal in the 74th minute to share points, much to the dismay of the Indian camp.
India plays Sri Lanka in their second round-robin league match on Thursday.