SAFF Championship – Sri Lanka Ends Up With Pride

Sri Lanka score five on Mohamed Naufer Mohamed Issadeen’s poker who makes him among nine players to score hat trick.

Mohamed Naufer Mohamed Issadeen registers him new as hat trick scorer in SAFF Championship as he is only ninth player to score hat trick.

Two quick goals in 19th and 23rd minute sees Sri Lanka in a stable position which gives them confidence in the remaining minute of the game.  The early stable lead added some pressure on Bhutan as a result of which Pemba Dorji directed a ball on his own net to concede an own goal which remains the second own goal of the tournament, first scored by Pakistan skipper.

Bhutan who started their tournament in a higher note against Afghanistan and Maldives could not make up their consistency to end up poorly at the full time.

Bhutan who were three goals down already in the center of first half showed some comeback spirit with captain Passang scored pulled one back for the Bhutan Eleven in the 45th minute to mark down his second goal in the tournament and the half ended 3-1 keeping the Bhutanese hopes alive.

Bhutan’s hope all faded away quick in second half after Mohamed Naufer Mohamed Issadeen completed his hat trick utilizing a through ball sent forward from Mohideen Mohamed Rawme.

Bhutan however could decreased the deficit in a form of Sonam Tenzing’s volley but the final scored remained 5-2 when Mohamed Naufer Mohamed Issadeen completed his poker scoring in the last minute possible in the injury time.

Although both Sri Lanka and Bhutan were known about their misfortune as they were already out what ever the result be, the teams played for pride on which Sri Lanka gifted outstanding win to their fans to heal the wound they caught in the opening match.