Sidibari
Maldives national women’s football team has lost 3-0 to Guam this evening, in the second fixture of Group D in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifying.
Although the game was balanced for most of the first half, Guam managed to break the deadlock in the 44th minute, and widened the gap in the second half of the game.
The breakthrough came in the final minute of the first half. Guam’s Rebecca Bartosh shot a screamer from 25 yards that fired past goalkeeper Leeza to give Guam the lead.
Guam resumed the second half with the same attacking intent and doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Dydasco’s floated free-kick found Mihaela Perez, whose header hit the post, but Bartosh managed to tap in the rebound ball to make it two.
Rebecca Bartosh completed her hat-trick in the 75th minute, powering down the left flank and whipping in a cross that sailed over Leeza and nestled into the net.
With one game remaining, Guam’s qualification hopes hinge on their upcoming clash with Vietnam. A draw in their opening game and Wednesday’s emphatic win have put them in the first position, at least temporarily.
Vietnam and the UAE face off later tonight in a match that will add further clarity to the group standings.
As for Maldives, the hopes of qualifying have ended, with no goals scored and ten goals conceded over two matches. Maldives will take on UAE in the third fixture of group stage on Saturday.
