Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Bhutan earned its first win in the 2024 SAFF U-20 Championship, defeating the Maldives 2-1 at the ANFA Complex on Wednesday.
Bhutan which lost its first game against India took the lead in the 22nd minute of the Group ‘B’ encounter. Dorjee scored from the box after the Maldives keeper Mohammad Yamin failed to control Jignam Dorjee’s cross. Bhutan preserved the lead until the first half.
However, Bhutan was down to 10 men in the 51st minute of the match after the referee gave marching orders to its keeper Sonam Tenzing for handling the ball outside the box. Firak scored from the resulting freekick to level the score for the Maldives.
Despite being a man down, Bhutan got the winner in the dying minutes when Nowang Chhopel tapped in Jitsun’s passe into the Maldives post.
Bhutan also played with 10 men for nearly 25 minutes in its first match against India. India was also two men down in the match.
Nepal and Bangladesh, which have already qualified for the semifinals, will play in the Group ‘A’ encounter on Thursday to decide the group winner.
Sri Lanka has already exited the tournament, losing both its games against Nepal and Bangladesh.
