Monirul Molla's lone strike helps India U20 see off Bhutan challenge in SAFF C'ships

Reduced to nine men in the 69th minute, India battled to a 1-0 victory over Bhutan to begin their SAFF U20 Championship Group B campaign here on Monday.

After Monirul Molla's headed goal in the 37th minute, India were looking to take control of the match by widening the gap, but a scuffle between players of both teams resulted in three red cards -- two for India and one for Bhutan -- which threatened to change the complexion of the game.

Despite Bhutan creating plenty of pressure in the remainder of the match by capitalising on their one-man advantage, the Indians kept them at bay and came out with all three points.