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| Bangladesh, Sri Lanka held |
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| Afghanistan's Djelaluddin Shrityar (L) takes control of the ball as Sri Lanka's Chatura Maduranga (C) looks on. Photo from dailynews.lk |
COLOMBO: Former champions Bangladesh and co-hosts Sri Lanka were held by minnows Bhutan and Afghanistan respectively in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship on Wednesday.
Bhutan, who lost their previous six matches in the last two editions of this competition in 2003 and 2005, surprised Bangladesh with a 1-1 draw while Afghanistan held fellow AFC Challenge Cup 2008 qualifiers 2-2 in the Group B encounters.
Arup Baidya put Bangladesh ahead in the 26th minute at the Sugathadasa Stadium but Nima Sanghe stunned Abu Yusuf’s side with a 79th-minute equaliser.
In another match, Garez Arian Habib opened the account of Afghanistan in the ninth minute with a 25 metre scorcher but captain Chatura Maduranga restored the parity for Sri Lanka in the next minute.
Habib scored his second of the evening ten minutes into the second half but E B Channa made it 2-2 from the spot in the 75th minute.
Defending champions India will take on Pakistan while co-hosts Maldives will meet Nepal in the Group A games in Male on Thursday.
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