Maldives defeat hosts Sri Lanka 3-0 in first of two games

The Maldives National Football team earned a huge win away at Sri Lanka this evening.

The South Asian Super Cup, which is essentially two games between Maldives and hosts Sri Lanka, marks the start of Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan)’s tenure as head coach of the Maldives national football team.

The Maldives broke the deadlock with a header from Naiz Hassan. Naiz converted the corner kick from Ibrahim Aisam by timing his run to the far post. Minutes later, the high-press by Maldives paid off with a second goal; Ahmed Rizuvan had intercepted the ball and passed it on to Hamza. Hamza’s low ball cut through the Lankan defense line and set up Naiz one-on-one against the charging goalkeeper, but Naiz passed it to an unmarked Ibrahim Mahudhee, who tapped the ball into an open goal.

Sri Lanka had the chance to narrow the lead throughout the second half, which included a penalty kick that went off target.

The lead was extended by Ali Fasir in stoppage time; he was set up by 16-year-old substitute Ilan Imran. Having made an assist on his debut at sixteen years, seven months and 20 days of age, Ilan becomes the youngest Maldivian to have a goal involvement in for the national team, as well as the youngest to make an appearance for the national team.

Maldives will face the hosts Sri Lanka for a second and final showdown of the South Asian Super Cup this Tuesday.