Dhaka, May 9 -- Holders Bangladesh made a frustrating start in the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-19 Men's Championship' 2025 after playing 2-2 draw with the Maldives in the opening match Friday afternoon.

Defending champions Bangladesh comfortably dominated the first half by 2-0 goals displaying an entertaining football at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in Arunachal Pradesh Friday afternoon.

But, the Maldives bounced back in the match in the 2nd half scoring two goals in a row to hold the title aspirants Bangladesh.

Bangladesh took lead in the 13th minute of the match when captain Nazmul Huda Faysal fired the Maldives net with a power-packed shot from top of the box (1-0).

Rifat Kazi doubled the Bangladesh ma...