SAFF SC 2015: Maldives 3-1 Bhutan - Maldives wins in style

Dec 24, 2015 - 02:28:43 |
Asadhulla and Ashfaq celebrates the second goal (Photo: Ibrahim Faid)

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.

Ashad Ali in action against Bhutan today. Madives won the match by 3-1. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)Ashad Ali in action against Bhutan today. Madives won the match by 3-1. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)

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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vaii on Dec 24
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surprised to see the performance of baka and shafiu...way below the expectation
footballmad on Dec 24
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Agree about Bakaa and Shafiu's performance in this match but also worth considering is that these players usually perform better and come to our rescue against tough opponents.
maldivesoccer on Dec 24
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Excellent game play by team and especially the newly joined team mates played as if they have been playing together for years. Imaaz, 1 goal i assist - the same stat as Dhagey. Dhagey is proving to be the region's top attacking midfielder now! Defence needs to maintain concentration at all times and play with more energy and responsibility!
Imma on Dec 24
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I was very pleased with the combination of the front three: Ashfaq, Asadulla and Imaz. I was also very happy to see that the players did not try to give the ball to Ashfaq at every opportunity, like we have seen in the past. The attacking coordination was very good, but we must learn to take our chances in the upcoming games, because the defensive discipline was still lacking during parts of the game. I thought the space between our defense and midfield was too much, putting pressure on our defenders and forcing them to do silly mistakes. Bakaa looked very out of shape and Adey did not help him out much. We need to address this issue for the matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, both of whom are much stronger opposition than Bhutan.

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