Bangladesh bow out

Bangladesh crashed out of the fifth SAFF Championship from the group stage when the 2005 runners-up lost 1-0 to Sri Lanka in the final Group B match in Colombo.
Sri Lanka finished group champions with five points to set a clash against fellow co-hosts Maldives in the June 11 semifinal at home while surprise pack Bhutan, who stunned Afghanistan to advance to the knockout stage, will travel to Maldives to play defending champions India in the other semifinal on the same day.
After South Asian football's whipping boys Bhutan's historic 3-1 defeat of Afghanistan in the day's first match in Group B at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Bangladesh were in a must win situation against hosts Sri Lanka, who could even afford a defeat due to their head-to-head supremacy over Bhutan, to reach the semifinals.
The Lankans created early chances but failed to test Biplab, who led Bangladesh replacing captain Aminul at the goal.
Coach Abu Yusuf, without injured Joy in the midfield and suspended striker Emily, brought back Ujjal in the side and also kept Hassan Al Mamun at the bench.
Bangladesh's inexperienced side looked to get behind the rival backline in the last 15 minutes of the first half but only Abul came close, the midfielder firing one from inside just over the bar.
Arup Baidya's weak volley went straight to the Lankan keeper midway through the first half in Bangladesh's only clear-cut chance after resumption.
Playing hopelessly and without any plan, Bangladesh finally conceded the goal in the 73rd minute when rival midfielder Romi's low drive after a corner went into the far post off a deflection of defender Ariful, giving Biplab no chance to react.
This is the second time Bangladesh -- who played three consecutive finals and won the trophy in 2003 -- have failed to make the semifinals after failure in the inaugural tournament in 1997 in Kathmandu.
HISTORIC BHUTAN
Bhutan recorded their first ever victory in the SAFF Championship when they crushed Afghanistan 3-1 after failing to win a single match in 2003 and 2005.
Bhutan, who drew attention after a 1-1 draw with Bangladesh in the group opener, fell 2-0 to hosts Sri Lanka in their second match but when everyone expected them to become a target of Afghanistan raids, the minnows from the Himalayan Kingdom surprised again.
Yeshey Dorji put Bhutan ahead after 16 minutes while Gyeltshen netted a brace, in the 75 and 81 minutes, to put the match beyond the Afghans, who reduced the arrears through Harez Habib three minutes form time.
INDIA WIN GROUP
Earlier, India emerged Group A champions when the defending champions, resting six key players, defeated co-hosts Maldives 1-0 in the group finale in Male on Saturday.
Maldives dominated the show but the home crowd was frustrated as India, down to ten men after Samir Naik's sending-off for his second bookable offence in the 62nd minute, held on to a 14th-minute headed goal by Goumangi.