Ali Thameem
Maldives has fallen to Pakistan in the second fixture of the Diamond Jubilee International Football tournament this evening.
Urbanyi had made two changes to the starting line-up, as Hamza Mohamed replaced with Hassan Naiz today. Goalkeeper Hussain Shareef was also replaced by Mohamed Faisal for this evening’s game.
A tightly contested first half ended goalless, although both teams have had their share of chances open up for scoring.
Starting off the second half, Urbanyi brought in Nassah Ibrahim Nasir and Ali Fasir, replacing Hassan Naiz and Ahzam Rasheed.
Maldives found goal scoring opportunities on three occasions early on in the second half. Ibrahim Waheed misfired on a loose ball from just inside the penalty area. Minutes later, Aisham Ibrahim took a powerful shot from the D-area, only for Pakistan goalkeeper Yousaf Ijaz Butt to punch it out. Ilan was set up by Ali Fasir on the counter, but the teenager’s shot curled into the goalkeeper’s gloves.
Just a minute since Ilan’s attempt at goal, the away side Pakistan opened the scoring, as Umar Nawaz tapped in a rebound ball.
Minutes later, Ilan was substituted for Hamza Mohamed. Urbanyi later replaced the right back Hussain Sifaau and brought on Ali Ashfaq in the 77th minute.
Following well-combined build-up, Pakistan scored their second goal in the 84th minute, as an unmarked Abdhul Samad Shahzad struck from close range.
Pakistan extended the lead to three goals just two minutes later, with Harun Ar Rashid Faheem Hamid scored following a cornerkick.
Maldives, having lost the previous game 1-0 to Afghanistan, have now been knocked out of the Diamond Jubilee International Tournament, with the game against Bangladesh yet to be played.
Speaking to the press after the game, Maldives Head Coach Istavan Urbanyi said we need more international matches and we will not succeed if we only play Dhivehi League matches, “Its not a criticism, its a fact” Urbanyi said.
“What i can tell is progress is coming only if we play international matches, so i knew this is gonna be a tough one but if you ask me if we can play another tournament like this is next week and then we will lose three match again, i will say no problem lets play and then the next one is coming we will lose another three match.. I will say no problem lets play and then the progress will happen, thats the nature of the game”.
