Bangladesh seemed poised to claim a maiden victory against hosts India in a FIFA Friendly, but Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri again broke the hearts of Bangladeshi football fans with his stoppage time equalizer as the South Asian rivals drew 2-2 at the Pandit Jawhar Lal Neheru Stadium on Wednesday. Just as he did at the SAFF Championship, where he scored a late equaliser against Bangladesh, Chhetri proved his character with a neat finish in the second of five minutes of added time.
The Indian captain put his side ahead in the 14th minute before Mithun Chowdhury, the veteran Bangladeshi striker, equalised in the 52nd minute and Indian defender Arnab Mandal gave the visitors a 2-1 lead with an own goal.
Bangladesh started the game playing long passes, which gave India more room to put pressure on the Bangladesh defence, and the hosts got the lead in the 14th minute from a counterattack.
Chhetri made his 44th international goal after Robin Singh released him with a through pass on the left wing. The skipper made good use of the space and found the inside of the far post.
Shohel Rana nearly brought Bangladesh level in the 44th minute with a long attempt, but his shot was magnificently saved by Indian keeper Suvrata Paul.
After the break, Bangladesh tried to apply pressure by controlling possession and found an equaliser in the 51st minute.
Mithun put the ball into the empty net after a cut back from Shohel Rana from the left.
Debutant midfielder Hemantha Vincent then produced a curving low cross from the right intended for Mithun and a clearance attempted by Mandal saw the ball fly into his own net in the 64th minute.
After taking the lead, all of Bangladesh’s players fell back to defend, giving India more space to attack.
Bangladesh keeper Shahidul Alam Sohel brilliantly produced a series of saves in the 82nd minute to keep the visitors on track for victory. The Abahani keeper frustrated Alwyn, who tried to squeeze the pall past him only for Sohel to get down in time and then be quick enough to react to a shot off the rebound by Chhetri. The final chance in the move saw Victorino’s header tipped over the bar by the Bangladeshi stopper.
But Shohel’s efforts went in vain when Chhetri latched on to a Denzil Franco’s cross, whipped from the right, to volley the ball in with his left foot in stoppage time.
Indian keeper Suvrata foiled a golden opportunity for Bangladesh just moments before the final whistle, bringing down substitute striker Toklis just outside the box in a one-on-one situation and earning a red card but preventing the winning goal.
-With New Age input
