Trivandrum, INDIA – Maldives started the SAFF Suzuki Cup in style after beating Bhutan by 3-1 today here in the Travindrum International Stadium. Ahmed Imaz, Asadhulla Abdulla and Ali Ashfaq scored the goals for the Maldives.
In the first minute Maldives missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when Hamza’s shot went wide from a descent pass from Ashfaq inside the box.
Maldives broke the deadlock in the 8th minute from a wonderful shot from Imaz. Descent assist from skipper Ashfaq.
In the 19th minute Tshering Dorji levels the game for Maldives from a good strike inside the box. Keeper Imran tried to save it but went into the far bottom corner of the goal.
Chencho made another descent shot inside the box in the 21st minute but it went over the bar.
In the 25th minute Maldives missed another great chance to score. Bhutan keeper punched away the first attempt from Ashfaq and Imaz made another good shot on target from the rebounded ball but keeper saved it again.
Asadhulla Abdull changed the score to 2-1 from a wonderful back heel inside the box from Imaz’s free kick just out side the box.
In the 50th minute Ashfaq penetrated the defense line of Maldives and made a good shot but it was deflected for a corner.
Ali Ashfaq increased the margin in the 70th minute from a thunderbolt shot just out side the box and changed the score to 3-1.
Maldives will play their second game against Bangladesh on 26th December at 1500 hours.
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