SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh came from behind to hold India to a 1-1 draw in their final Group B match of the SAFF U-20 Championship in Male yesterday, with Group A champions Nepal awaiting them in Wednesday’s semifinals.

Both sides finished on four points, with India topping the three-team group on goal difference, while Bangladesh advanced as runners-up.

At Maldives’ National Stadium, defending champions India took the lead in the 17th minute through Vishal Yadav, who headed in from an Omang Dodum corner. Bangladesh, already assured of a last-four spot, struggled to match India’s control early on, with coach Mark Cox’s side forced into a reshuffle after Ashikur Rahman went off injured midway through the first half.

The game grew increasingly physical, with multiple scuffles disrupting play and leading to the dismissals of Cox and India goalkeeping coach Sandeep Nandi from the dugout.

Bangladesh found their response deep into first-half stoppage time, once again through the influence of Ronan Sullivan. The 18-year-old Philadelphia Union Academy forward, who had struck a decisive brace against Pakistan in the opener, proved pivotal yet again with his delivery -- whipping in a teasing, swerving corner that Abdul Riyad Fahim met with a composed far-post volley to restore parity.

India enjoyed the better of the second half and created clearer chances, with Dodum going close on more than one occasion, but Bangladesh held firm despite lacking a cutting edge in attack.