India opened their SAFF U20 Championship campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bhutan at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Monday, August 19, 2024. The match, which saw two players sent off in a heated second half, tested India’s resilience as they battled with just nine men for over 20 minutes to secure a crucial win.

The lone goal of the match came from Monirul Molla, whose first-half header gave India the lead. Despite intense pressure from Bhutan in the latter stages, the Blue Colts managed to hold on, demonstrating exceptional defensive discipline under challenging circumstances.

India began the match on the front foot, dominating possession and pushing Bhutan deep into their own half. Early opportunities arose from set-pieces, with Kelvin Singh Taorem’s deliveries causing trouble for the Bhutanese defense. In the 14th minute, Kelvin’s well-placed free-kick found Thomas Cherian in the box, but his header narrowly missed the target.

Bhutan, although largely on the defensive, managed to create a few chances of their own. Captain Pema Zangpo’s free-kick set up Jignam Dorji for Bhutan’s first shot, which was blocked by Manjot Singh Dhami. This brief spell of pressure from Bhutan was met with a series of long-range efforts from India, as Kelvin and Korou Singh Thingujam both came close, but neither could find the back of the net.

India’s persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Molla broke the deadlock. Rising highest to meet another superb corner from Kelvin, Molla directed his header into the bottom corner, leaving Bhutan’s goalkeeper Lhocho Nima with no chance. The goal showed India’s aerial threat, which continued to trouble Bhutan in the second half.

After the break, India continued to press for a second goal. Ebindas Yesudasan came close to doubling the lead with a powerful header from another Kelvin corner, only to see his effort miss the bottom corner by inches. Korou also had a chance to extend the lead but was denied by the Bhutanese defense under pressure.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 69th minute when a scuffle between players from both sides resulted in three red cards. Bhutan’s Kinley Gyeltshen and India’s Pramveer and substitute Vanlalpeka Guite were all dismissed, leaving India to battle on with nine men against Bhutan’s ten.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, India continued to fight valiantly. Molla nearly scored a second goal shortly after the incident, sprinting from the halfway line into the Bhutanese box, only to be thwarted in a one-on-one by Nima.

Sensing an opportunity to capitalize on their man advantage, Bhutan increased the pressure on the Indian defense. Jigme Namgyel twice came close to equalizing, first hitting the side netting and then sending a low shot just wide of the far post. Rigzin Dorji also threatened, nearly catching Indian goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey out of position, but Dubey recovered to make the save.

The final minutes of the match were tense, with both teams having chances to alter the scoreline. In injury time, Gwgwmsar Goyary set up Manglenthang Kipgen for a golden opportunity, but Bhutan’s Kinley Penjoy blocked the shot at point-blank range. Kipgen then saw his long-range effort tipped onto the crossbar by Nima in the 99th minute.

Bhutan’s last-gasp effort to salvage a point came when Zangpo broke through the Indian defense, only to see his shot strike the post, leaving the Indian team relieved as the final whistle blew.

India’s 1-0 victory over Bhutan, secured under extraordinary circumstances, marks an important start to their SAFF U20 Championship campaign. The team’s ability to maintain their lead despite being reduced to nine men is a testament to their determination and defensive resilience. As they look ahead to their remaining group stage matches, India will hope to build on this hard-earned win while addressing the disciplinary issues that could have cost them dearly.