Bangladesh’s early momentum in the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship came to a halt on Friday as they fell 2-0 to India in Thimphu.

The match at the Changlimithang Stadium had tension from the start. Barely ten minutes in, goalkeeper Iarzan drew protests when her foot strayed outside the box while taking a goal kick.

The Indians were furious, the referee stepped in, and Bangladesh coach Mahbubur Rahman picked up a yellow card in the commotion. Three minutes later, India struck.

Pearl Fernandes slipped through a loose defensive line in the 14th minute, and though Iarzan got her hands on the shot, she couldn’t stop it rolling in. Bangladesh chased an equaliser with a few half chances, but their finishing was poor.

They almost conceded again before the break when India’s Pritika Burman lost her footing in front of goal.

Bangladesh beat Bhutan to open SAFF U-17 women’s campaign

Mahbub made two surprising substitutions just before halftime, but it did little to change the pattern. The second half drifted until the 76th minute, when substitute Bonifilia Shullai pounced on a bouncing ball from a corner and made it 2-0. That was the game.

Bangladesh had no way back. They pressed, but India’s defence stood firm and the gulf between the sides was plain. After beating Bhutan 3-1 in their opener, this was a reality check for Arpita Biswas’s team.

Next up is Nepal on August 24. Anything less than a win there could leave Bangladesh fighting just to stay in contention.