Sumit Sharma's Header Leads India to Victory Against Bangladesh in SAFF U17 Championship

Defending champions India began their SAFF U17 Championship campaign with a hard-fought victory over Bangladesh, winning by a narrow margin of one goal in a Group A match at the Changlimithang Stadium on Friday. Despite facing a resilient Bangladesh defense for most of the game, India's Sumit Sharma emerged as the hero with a well-placed header in the 90th minute that proved to be the deciding goal. The breakthrough came after substitute Manbhakupar Malngiang was brought on by head coach Ishfaq Ahmed in the 78th minute, and his pinpoint cross from the right flank caught the Bangladesh defenders off guard, setting up Sharma for the crucial goal. This victory marks a positive start for India as they aim to defend their title in the tournament.

While the only goal of the match fetched the Blue Colts three points in a three-team group, they would certainly not feel satisfied with the narrow margin of victory.

Given their near-complete control over the 90 5 minute match, India could have been the runaway winners. But the grit of the Bangladesh defenders, mixed with the generous amount of luck they enjoyed, left the Indian attackers frustrated for the rest of the period.

Malngiang's cross, which resulted in the goal, was only one of the many that tormented the Bangladesh defence time and again in both halves.

India's two wing backs Renin Singh Chingtham and Yaipharemba Chingakham overlapped with unfailing regularity, and the two wingers, Vishal Yadav and Samson Ahongshangbam, were equally aggressive in their approach that kept the Bangladesh defence on their toes.

India stepped up on the gas in the last 20 minutes and looked desperate to avoid a situation where they may have to return to the dressing room with only one point in the pocket.

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During this period, a long-ranger by Samson shook the crosspiece, and a header from Yaipharemba missed the target by a whisker. Bangladesh defence withstood the storm, but the last-ditch effort by Sumit Sharma forced them to surrender all three points.

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)