Bangladesh鈥檚 chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the SAFF Under-17 Championship were hanging in balance after they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Maldives in their Group A second match at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Sunday.
Following their 1-0 defeat against defending champions and three-team table toppers India in the tournament opener, Bangladesh needed a win to stay in the race for the last four.
Bangladesh squandered at least three scoring chances in the first half before they got the lead in the 49th minute as midfielder Murshed Ali鈥檚 shot from outside the penalty box entered the net.
Bangladesh had full control of the game and came close to success once again in the 68th minute, but forward Opu Rahman committed a foul at the goalmouth.
Maldives captain Mohamed Ilan Imran levelled the margin in the 79th minute.
Captain Nazmul Huda Faysal had the chance to win the game for Bangladesh, but he failed to put the ball into the net from goalmouth after a long run in the 84th minute.
Saiful Bari Titu鈥檚 charges will now have to wait for the outcome of the final group match between the Maldives and India to learn their semi-final fate.
If the Maldives can earn a draw against India, then they will advance to the last four along with India, but a 2-0 win for India will see Bangladesh to the semi-finals.
