Ilan brace not enough as Sri Lanka makes second half comeback

Maldives have lost the opening fixture of the SAFF U20 Championship, as Sri Lanka pulled off a second-half comeback.

Maldives took a two-goal lead in the first half, as captain Ilan Imran struck twice. Following a turnover of posession in the 28th minute, Ilan was set up by Mikyal Mueen’s through ball. Ilan took on the goalkeeper before firing in from a tight angle.

Ilan scored the second goal just before half-time, tapping into an empty net after Sri Lankan goalkeeper blundered the clearance of a diagonal pass from Ahuzam Rasheed.

Half-time score stood 2-0 as Sri Lanka failed to make any serious threats on the attack.

The away side narrowed the lead three minutes into the second half – a volley shot from Mohamed Katheen.

Coach Istavan Urbanyi replaced Hassan Gais with Yoosuf Ayan on the 55th minute.

Sri Lanka built on the momentum and equalized on the 64th minute, as Ahamed Hijaazy struck low from the D-Area.

A number of great chances went unconverted for Maldives, including Ahuzam Rasheed’s shot towards the top corner, which the goalkeeper repelled. Ilan almost completed the hat-trick, heading in an Ethan cross in stoppage time, only to be denied by the crossbar.

Sri Lanka had completed the comeback from the penalty spot. Captain Hussian Abdhullah fired from the spot after a miss-timed tackle from the Maldives goalkeeper.

Maldives had started with a 3-5-3 line-up: With Mikyal Eydhan and Haizoom on the backline in front of goalkeeper Zahran. The two defensive midfielders, Ahuzam and Shamman, were flanked by Gais and Akmal. Ethan started as attacking midfieder, behind the two strikers Nassah and Ilan.

Maldives will take on Bhutan on Wednesday night. Bhutan had lost to Nepal in the opening game of the championship this evening.