India beat nine-man Bangladesh in ill-tempered final

India clicnhed the title of the SAFF U-18 Championship, beating Bangladesh 2-1 in an ill-tempered final at the APF Stadium in Kathmandu today.

These two sides had never won this title in its previous two editions, so there was a lot of desperation on both sides. India took an early lead before both sides were reduced to 10 men over a scuffle. 

Bangladesh equalised before the break, but their over-zealoussness got the better of them, with skipper Yeasin Arafat seeing a second yellow for his goal celebration as he took his shirt up to his head and covered his face with it. 

Bangladesh defended doggedly with nine men and goalkeeper Shanto Kumar Ray had to be at his best to deny India from regaining the lead. Andrew Peter Turner's charges played for time, but as they were running down the clock, India scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute, ending any hopes of a comeback for the boys in red and green.

Bangladesh and India had come into the final with an identical record in this campaign. They had played out a goalless draw in the group stages.