Kathmandu, Sep 23 (IANS): The India U-18 national football team was held to a goalless draw by Bangladesh in their opening match of the SAFF U-18 Championship at the APF Stadium on Monday.

The outfit next clashes against Sri Lanka in their last group stage match of the championship on September 25.

Sri Lanka had earlier lost 0-3 to Bangladesh, and the top two teams from the group will qualify for the semi-finals slated for September 27.

The Indians started the match on an attacking note, but an injury to goalkeeper Prabhsukan Singh Gill in the 9th minute meant that Pinto had to make an early change. With Bangladesh committing bodies in defence, India colts were not able to break through.

Chances for Floyd's boys came through set pieces. In the 36th minute, Sumit Rathi's header came close to giving India the lead, but it flew inches over the bar.

Changing over, the second half was much like the first, with India dominating possession but failing to create clear goal chances. Despite ringing in two changes to up the attacking front, India failed to create goal scoring opportunities, and could not convert half chances.