January 21, 2003	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 17, 1423

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Bangladesh 5 Maldives 3

(after penalty shootout)

Pakistan 1 India 2

(after extra time)

DHAKA, Jan 20: Bangladesh broke the hearts of the plucky Maldives Monday as they clinched the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) title in a dramatic 5-3 penalty shoot-out victory.

Bangladesh keeper Aminul Islam was the side’s hero when he saved the second penalty from the Maldives’ Ashraf Lutfy while the home team converted all of their spot kicks.

The two sides had been drawn 1-1 after 90 minutes and there were no further goals in the ensuing half-an-hour of extra time.

Rokonuzzaman Kanchan had given Bangladesh an early lead in the 12th minute but the tiny Maldives struck back when Ali Umar finished off a sharp counter-attack in the 58th minute.

Jadav scored a golden goal to help two-time champions India finish third in the tournament after defeating arch rivals Pakistan.

India took the lead through Vijayan in the 56th minute, while Sarfaraz Rasool raided in the 72nd minute to equalise for Pakistan.

The Indians were defeated by Bangladesh on Saturday thanks to a golden goal by Motiur Rahman Munna.

The SAFF tournament also featured Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.—AFP