Ali Thameem
Maldives Men’s National Futsal Team has defeated Bangladesh in this evening’s game of the SAFF Futsal Championship.
Having won a massive victory on the opening game against Pakistan, Maldives were determined to take the lead at the top of the table.
Captain Mohamed Imran opened the scoring in the very first minute of the game, firing in from the centre, just outside the penalty area. The Maldives made it two with a goal from Ishan Ibrahim, who tapped in from close range in the ninth minute.
On a counter-attack just a minute later, Imran assisted Rahil Rasheed with a cut in from the right side – Rahil fired in with ease from the first touch.
Bangladesh managed to pull one back just before half-time, but not before Ali Shiyah scored a fourth goal from the penalty spot.
Most of the second half went goalless. But hust as in the third goal, Imran assisted Rahil to make it 5-1, with nine minutes left on the clock.
Abdhullah Shafiu was the one to score the sixth and final goal of the game for Maldives, intercepting the ball in the Maldives’ half and rolling it into an empty goal, as Bangladesh goalkeeper was on attack up the field.
With thirteen goals scored and an 11-goal advantage in the first two games, Maldives have had the best start of any team in the competition. Nepal, who are the closest threat to Maldives at the moment, have earned three points with a game in hand. They will go against India on Saturday evening.
