Bangladesh on Saturday drew 1-1 with India on Saturday to secure their place in SAFF U-20 Championship semifinals as Group B runners-up.

With that draw they have narrowly missed the group title on goal difference after failing to find a winning goal despite a spirited second-half effort.

The match in Maldives National Stadium saw both goals scored in the first half, with Bangladesh recovering from an early deficit but unable to complete a comeback victory that would have made them group champions.

Bangladesh had already confirmed their semifinal berth before the match, but needed a win against India to top the group. India took the lead in the 17th minute when Vishal Yadav headed in from a corner, going against the run of play after Bangladesh had dominated early possession. Ashikur Rahman had come close moments earlier, his header from a corner sailing just over the crossbar in the 12th minute.

Bangladesh found their equalizer in first-half stoppage time when Abdul Riyad Fahim finished with a precise shot at the far post from a Ronan Benjamin Sullivan corner. The goal came shortly after India`s goalkeeper coach Sandeep Nandy was shown a red card for protesting a referee`s decision.

The second half produced intense end-to-end action. Bangladesh goalkeeper Ismail Hossain made a crucial save in the 63rd minute, rushing off his line to deny Omang Dudu after the Indian forward had beaten two defenders. Fahim received a yellow card for fouling Samson just outside the box, but Dudu`s resulting free kick deflected off the defensive wall and went wide.

Ronan`s late attempt in the 87th minute sailed well wide as Bangladesh ran out of time in their search for a winner.

Both teams finished with four points from one win and one draw each. India claimed the group title on goal difference after opening with a 3-0 win over Pakistan, while Bangladesh had defeated Pakistan 2-0 in their first match.

Bangladesh will face Nepal in the semifinal on April 1 as they aim to defend their title. The defending champions won the tournament last year by defeating Nepal 4-1 in the final. In the seven editions of this age-group competition held across U-18, U-19 and U-20 categories, India have won four titles, Nepal two and Bangladesh one.