Ali Thameem
Maldives have made its mark on the Asian futsal stage, with a commanding 7-0 victory over Hong Kong.
Following the opening defeat at the hands of South Korea on Friday, Maldives bounced back to turn the goal-deficit around, claim the three points and heat up the group rivalry with the win this morning.
With South Korea losing to the hosts China, three of the four teams are equal on points with a game left to play.
Having an own-goal start off the scoring in the fifth minute of the game, Maldives made it three-nil by half-time with goals from Ishan Ibrahim and Shanaan Rashaad.
Hong Kong were unable to close the gap as Maldives scored four more in the second half. Saadh Nizaar, who had scored on his national team debut yesterday, also managed to find the net today; he scored a brace, opening the scoring in the second half, and the goal that made it seven-nil. Shanaan and Ishan both scored in between Saadh’s two goals, as three of them got a brace to their names.
Maldives will play the decisive match against hosts China in the final match of the group stage, as South Korea takes on Hong Kong.
