Dhaka, Dec 17 (BDNEWS) – Defending champions Bangladesh failed to defend the title when they suffered a 0-2 defeat to India in the final of the fourth SAFF Championship at the Peoples Sports Complex in Karachi Saturday.
Bangladesh also failed to break the final-dead-lock against India, who never were beaten by Bangladesh in any regional football final.
Mehraj Din Wadoo and Bhaichung Bhutia struck one each in each either for India.
It's the third SAFF Championship title for India after 1997 in Kathmandu of Nepal and in 1999 in Goa of India.
Champions India deserved the title in the ways the played against Bangladesh, who were totally unimpressive in the final losing the control in every department on the field.
The poor show by Bangladesh footballers disappointed millions of football loving people at home and abroad. The way Bangladesh played put the forecast by Bangladesh's Argentine coach into the drain.
Bangladeshi defenders received a bold blow from Indians as Bangladeshi playmakers failed to take control over the midfield.
Besides, Argentine coach did not bring a change at the right-stopper position despite Hasan Al Mamun failed to restrict Krishnan Nair Ajayan, who several time broke Bangladesh defence and set up Bhaichung Bhutia for the second goal.
Besides, it was not clear why Bangladesh coach could not take promising striker Emily in the second half despite the shaky performances from duo striker Farhad and Khanchan, football enthusiasts said.
Bangladesh could have taken the lead after 32 minutes, but Alfaz failed to connect a defence-breaking cross from Khanchan despite staying at the front of the open net.
Just one minute later availing a counter attack, defender Mehraj Din Wadoo did not mistake to put India in front with a curving shot from outside the box.
Bangladeshi defenders failed to clear a fellow Indian cross from the left and Indian striker Bhaichung Bhutia set Mehraj to outside the box and Mehraj's powerful shot went Aminul past easily kissing the side-post.
After went one goal down in the first half, Bangladesh lost their nerve and started to perform poorly. Getting the opportunity, Indian put their full pressure on the shoulders of Bangladeshi booters.
Bangladesh were survived from two close-calls soon after the lemon break. Rajani cleared a powerful shot from Mehraj seven minutes into the second half while Indian mid-fielder Venkatesh sent skyward from close range.
Defender Hasan Al Mamun and substitute medio Abul Hossain failed to restrict the Krishnan Nair Ajayan from the left and the speedy winger set up Bhaichung in front of open net in the 80th minute.
And Bhaichung doubled Indian margin with a tap to confirm India's third SAFF title.
Squad: Bangladesh – Aminul Islam, Mohammad Sujan, Rajani Kanta Barman, Firoz Mahmud Titu, Hasan Al Mamun, Arif Khan Joy, Arman Mia (Abul Hossain), Matiur Munna, Alfaz Ahmed, Ariful Kabir Farhad and Rokonuzzaman Kanchan.
India – Sandip Nandy, Irungbam Surkumar Sing, Mahesh Gawli, Manju Nanjangud (Abdul Hakkim), Mehraj Din Wadoo, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Climax Lawrence, Syed Rahim Nabi and Bhaichung Bhutia.
BDNEWS/ 2133 hrs