SAFF Championship – Maldives Advance Semifianl : Defeats 10 men Bhutan

Bhutan were imbalanced after the keeper was sent off and they drop the lead to face humiliating full time score.

Bhutan started the game in higher note dominating the pitch well-balanced in all midfield and attack. It was Bhutan who first attacked in the game as they were quick to find first shot on target of the match. Sonam Tenzin made nice cross which Chencho Gyekltshen headed but the head directly went on opponent keeper. Bhutan continued to keep pressure on Maldives and Yeshey Dorji’s shot from almost 20 yards found the woodward instead the target. The chance did not fade away as Chencho Gyeltshen got the rebound but his shot from as near as 10 yards went totally off target.
Despite of immense pressure from Bhutan and heroic game, it was Maldives who first got their name in the score sheet. Mohamed Rasheed’s assist was followed by powerful shot from Ali Fasir as goalkeeper Leki failed to guard the ball which entered the net and Maldives took the lead in 16th minute.
Lezi made great remarkable save as he compensates his other mistake. Ali Fasir’s was in good position to score but Leki advanced forward and made sure he did not allow any space to deflect his shot. The rebound found Imaaz Ahamed whose shot defeats the keeper and was saved by Bhutanese defender from as many as 3 yards from goal line.
Bhutan found the equalizer from a great team game when Tshering Wangdi released calculated cross from right to Passang Tshering who headed the team for a goal. Bhutan’s great effort turned out great in 35th minute as Chencho Gyeltshen neatly placed the ball ahead the keeper to find the net on a counter attack to get ahead.
Bhutan’s keeper Leki made another remarkable save in 35th minute to block the shot advancing forward before he was sent off in 45th minutes to deny Ali Asfaq just outside the box and the sorry moment started for Bhutan. Mohamed Umair scored on a direct shot from free kick to set it all level before the end of second half.
The game certainly changed as dominating Bhutan struggled with one man down. They conceded 6 goals in second half and looked completely wrecked despite of strong first half display. The balance in the team just faded away with Sonam Tenzin went off the field replaced by second choice keeper.
Ali Asfaq completed his hat trick to break Sunil Chhetri’s ‘highest goal in one edition’ record. Sunil Previously had seven goals in his name in previous tournament.
Ali Asfaq scored in 48th minute, 51 and 75 to complete his hat trick. Ali Fasir and Ali Umar were among other scorers in second half as they scored in 69 and 82nd minutes respectively to wrap up 8-2 as their other efforts on goal could not find the net despite of simultaneous attacks.
Bhutan’s only noteable attack came in 89th minute when Chencho’s long ranger shot was Imran Mohamed’s victim of a fingertip save.
Bhutan now are out of the tournament along with Sri Lanka while both Maldives place their feet in semifinal. The group winner will be decided bu Maldives vs Afghanistan match.