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Bernard Perera reporting from Dhaka

Bangladesh snatched the 3rd SAFF Championship here in the Bangabandhu Stadium when they defeated Maldives 6 goals to win a penalty shoot out in the final yesterday.

It was fast and good soccer that was displayed by both teams to a capacity crowd of over 50,000.

Bangladesh from the word go got in to the act of attack and succeeded in the 13th minute when Mohammad R. Kanchan slamed the goal collecting a good ball from a corner kick taken by M. Anwar Parvaz.

Maldives stuck to their task to defend and attack well from this moment. But failed to get the equaliser within the first session of play and teams left for lemons with hosts Bangladesh leading 1-0.

Sri Lankan referee Anura de Silva who was lucky to control this final had pulled out the yellow card to warn two players for rough play during this period.

Ten minutes into the second part of play the referee had come out with warnings to two players from both sides.

Maldives kept the pressure high on their opponents while the hosts tried everything possible to maintain the lead and to extend it.

Visitor's defence stood firm to thwart these attacks specially the custodian Imran Mohamed playing a vital role in preventing many chances of scoring by Bangladesh strikers.

Maldivians managed to score the equaliser in the 55th minute. Ali Umar being the striker for them.

Both teams again displayed attacking soccer to get past each other with a lot of courage but none managed to find the nets until the final whistle was blown.

This resulted in referee extending play for a further period of 30 minutes. This extra time to failed to decide the winners and the penalty shoot out was introduced.

Bangladesh managed to strike five goals, while Maldives had only one scoring chance giving victory to the host country.

India finish third

The earlier game between India and Pakistan for the third place too had to go on for extra time to decide winners.

India got home when Abishek Yadav struck the winning "Golden Goal" in the 10th minute of extra time.

The first session of play failed to produce any goals by both teams and they left the field with a scoreless card.

In the early part of the second session I. M. Vijyar put India ahead with a header receiving a good ball from Alvito D'chuma from left wing. Sarfras Razool shot in the equaliser for Pakistan eighteen minutes later with a fine shot 20 metres away from the left wing.

Bangladeshi referee Tayeb Hassan blew the final whistle with scores level at 1 all. He had to extend the game to find the winners of the game. Ten minutes into this period Yadav sealed victory for India.

Bangladesh carried away the 3rd SAFF Championship Trophy and a cash award of US dollars 50,000. Runners-up received dollars 25,000. Third placed India was awarded 15,000 dollars while Pakistan received 10,000 US dollars. Bangladeshi captain Rajani K. Barman received the player of the tournament presented by Bangladesh Football Federation.

Mohamed Anman also of host country was declared as the most valuable player. He received the award presented by SAFF tournament committee. Man of the final award presented by Bangladesh Sports Journalist Association was given to Mohamed R. Kanchan from Bangladesh. Prof. Yasoordeen Ahamed President of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest for the final.

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