Defender Yeasin Arafat helped Bangladesh earn a thrilling 1-1 draw against India in the SAFF Championship 2021 on Monday, with the men in red and green coming back from being a man and a goal down in the second half to earn a crucial point.

With the draw at the National Football Stadium in Male, Bangladesh are now top of the standings with four points from two matches after beating Sri Lanka 1-0 in the tournament opener.

READ: SAFF Championship: Bangladesh take on favourites India on Monday

As in the first game, Bangladesh's goal was scored by a defender,  with Yeasin against India emulating  Topu Barman against Sri Lanka.

Captain Sunil Chhetri put India ahead in the 26th minute, off a right-wing cross from Udoy Singh (1-0). It was his 76th international goal and sixth against Bangladesh. But Yeasin's 74th-minute equaliser ensured the teams shared the points.

Before that, Oscar Bruzon's men went down to 10 men after Bishwanath Ghosh was sent off in the 54th minute.

Yeasin, who was named the man of the match, got on the scoresheet with a brilliant header off a left-wing corner of captain Jamal Bhuiyan (1-1).

A lot of Bangladeshi fans gathered at the stadium to cheer for their national team.

Although India dominated the match, Bangladesh also managed some chances, which were spoiled by Yeasir, Biplo, and Saad Uddin.

In the remaining group matches of the regional soccer meet, Bangladesh will face the Maldives on October 7 at 10pm and Nepal on October 13 at 5pm, both at the National Stadium. The top two teams qualify for the final on October 16.

READ: SAFF Championship: Bangladesh kick off against Sri Lanka in opener Friday

Today's result mirrored that of the last time the two neighbours met, in a World Cup qualifier in Kolkata in 2019.

It also means interim coach Oscar Bruzon, the Spaniard appointed to take over the team just last month from Englishman Jamie Day, who was fired following a woeful tour of Kyrgyzstan to prepare for the SAFF Championship, remains unbeaten after his first two games in charge officially.