Lekini Suiting's late strike from a brilliant free-kick helped India TFA Blue edge past an inexperienced Bangladesh 2-1 in the inaugural match of the under-19 JRD Tata Cup International Invitational football tournament, at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, on Thursday.
The hosts tore apart the rival defence in the initial session and went into the lead through medio Khentan Paite in the 18th minute.
Paite, lurking inside the rival box was fed by a measured pass from the left and promptly fired a volley that went into the net past a helpless Bangla custodian Khaled Mohammad Azam.
But the visitors, who took time to settle down, restored parity through a free-kick by striker Mohammad Anowar Hussain barely two minutes before the breather.
TFA Blue were reduced to ten men in the 53rd minute as defender Warun Deep was given marching orders by Thailand referee Natthanal Phaengsupha after picking up two yellow cards.
Desperate to snatch a win, the hosts maintained the pressure and finally scored the winner in the 85th minute when skipper Suiting's free-kick rammed into the net, giving no chance to the Bangla goalkeeper.
TFA Blue, however, could have made the task easier in the opening half itself, but forward S Kuttimanni missed a couple of easy chances minutes after the first goal.
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