India, who are the title contenders and former winners of the SAFF U-20 Championship, have started the competition with a hard-fought victory.

In the first match of Group B held on Monday, India got off to a winning start with a 1-0 win over Bhutan. The only goal scored by Monirul Molla in the 37th minute of the match at the ANFA Complex became the decisive goal to give India victory.

The second half of the game was tense for a while.

FIFA referee Shyam Danuwar of Nepal showed red cards to two players from India and one from Bhutan when the players of India and Bhutan clashed with each other.

After this victory, India has also strengthened the possibility of entering the semi-finals. Both India and Bhutan are scheduled to play against Maldives in their second match towards the group stage.