Ngawang Chophel struck late in the second half as ten-man Bhutan defeated the Maldives 2-1 in a thrilling Group B match to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-final of the SAFF U-20 Championship at the ANFA Complex on Wednesday.

Bhutan were in a must-win situation following a narrow 1-0 loss to defending champions India in their opening game and the Dragon Boys looked determined to snatch a victory in Satdobato.

Bhutan were the better side, threatening the Maldives on a number of occasions.

Their breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Yaameen misjudged a cross from Jignam Seltob Dorji only to make a failed attempt to punch the ball away, allowing an unmarked Jetsuen Dorji to tap into an empty net.

Afzal Mohamed should have equalised in the 26th minute when Ish Aafu Mohamed Firaq dropped a long freekick between him and the Bhutanese goalkeeper Rigzin Sonam Tenzin but the defender lacked a clinical touch.

Bhutan’s Kinzang Tenzin had a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 29th minute but his header off a masterly pass from Rigzin Dorji went just wide. Kinzang then tested Yaameen with a header in the 37th minute.

The match turned on its head only minutes into the second half when Bhutan’s goalkeeper Sonam Tenzin was given a straight red for intentional handling of the ball outside the box.

Lhocho Nima came to guard the post after Sonam Tenzin was sent off but could not stop the resulting freekick from Firaq whose low ball pierced the wall before finding the bottom corner.

It was the second tournament red for Bhutan who also played with ten men against India after Kinley Gyeltshen was sent off following a scuffle. India’s Pramveer and Vanlalpeka Guite were also shown red.

The red card horror followed by Firaq’s equaliser slowed down Bhutan and they almost conceded an own goal when Kinzang Tashi Tobden’s attempt to clear a cross almost stung his side back after ricocheting off his own teammate Ugyen Dorji.

Bhutan knew a draw would doom them and kept looking for a winner and it finally came in the 90th minute with a bit of luck. Maldives defender Hassan Raaidh’s poor attempt to clear the ball allowed Jetsuen to set up Chophel, who made no mistake.

Maldives desperately searched for the equaliser in the final seconds but Bhutan held on for the victory.

The outcome leaves Bhutan tied on three points with India after two matches and potentially on the way to their third semi-finals of the SAFF age-group competition. Bhutan reached the last four in 2017 and 2019.

Maldives must defeat India in their second and last group match on Friday to stand any chance of progressing into the last four.

Hosts Nepal and Bangladesh have already qualified for the semi-finals from Group A. The two sides meet on Wednesday in a match that will decide the group winners.