Sidibari
The Maldives is set to face hosts India in the semifinal of the The U19 SAFF Championship 2025.
Maldives made it through the group stage with two draws in two games – late drama against Bhutan on Tuesday evening had resulted in the same full-time score as the previous match: 2-2.
Just as the match against Bangladesh, Maldives had to play catch-up against Bhutan. After conceding the opening goal just before halftime, Maldives scored in the 75th minute; Aidh Mohamed Javeez scored it with an assist from Ashham Ibrahim Mohamed, who was subbed on moments prior.
Maldives went on to take the lead in the 90+3rd minute with Ashham’s strike, only to fumble the lead in the 90+5th minute.
The two points from two games are enough to qualify from the three-team group stage; Bhutan had lost 3-0 to Bangladesh on Sunday.
Group winners Bangladesh will face Nepal in Thursday’s first game of the semifinals. The Maldives will face the host nation, India, later that evening; the game is set to kick off at 07:00 pm Maldives time. India had won both its games – against Sri Lanka and Nepal – without conceding a single goal. They had scored a total of 12 goals in those two games.
