Bangladesh’s hope of playing semifinals of the 11th SAFF Suzuki Cup vanished into blue as title aspirants Maldives scored a winning goal at the fag end of the match as they dumped Bangladesh by 3-1 goals in the crucial second group B match on Saturday at the Trivandrum Stadium in Kerala, India.
The day’s outcome means that Afghanistan will have to lose both their remaining fixtures while Bangladesh will have to beat Bhutan in their last group match with a big margin. Maldives so far have earned full six points from two matches and became the first team to ensure their place in the
semifinals.
Afghanistan so far have played one match and they have recorded an overwhelming 4-0 win over Bangladesh.
In the day’s match, Ali Asfaq put Maldives ahead in the 42nd minute while substitute Tapu scored the equalizer for Bangladesh in the 87th minute.
Niaz again put Maldives ahead scoring the second goal in the 90th minute while Ahmed Nasid completed the tally scoring the third goal in the 95+ 5 minute of the match.
The boys in red and green will play their last group match against Bhutan on Monday (December 28), at the same venue.
The semifinals will be held on December 31 while the final of the tournament is slated on January 3.
Maldives Starting XI: Mohamed Imran(GK), Abdulla Ahmad, Imaaz, Ashfaq Ali (C), Samdhooh Mohamed Hamza, Abdulla Asadhulla, Ali Ashadh, Fasir Ali, Ali Amdhan, Mohamed, Ahmed Shafiu
Bangladesh Starting XI: MD Sahidul (GK), Jamal Bhuyan, Yeasin Khan, Zahid Hossain, Mamunul Mamum(C), Hemonta, Rayhan Hasan , Monaem Khan, Topu Barman, Shakhawat Rony, Waly Faisal.
