| Maldives through to the semi as group leader
11 December 2005
Uploaded: 11.12.2005, 8:15 PM
Assad clearing the ball from defence during their clash
against the host
Karachi, PAKISTAN - Maldives enters the semi finals as the top of the group by drawing against Pakistan. Though there were no goals in the match, there were goal-threatening moments in the match. Pakistanis played quite well in the first half, but lacked any kind of tempo in the second half. The match turned from Pakistan to Maldives in the second half.
In the opening minutes, Maldivian players felt a little bit of the pressure. Keeper Imran saved a long range shot in the 3rd minute taken by Pakistani striker.
Imran also produced a stunning save when he was all-alone in the penalty area. Pakistan tried to play long balls inside the penalty area and tried to use their physical ability from the start of the game.
There was a very dangerous attack by the Pakistanis in the 24th minute, the header from a free kick which was obtained due to a foul committed by Sobah near the edge of the penalty area, went inches away from the post.
Thoriq also produced an excellent shot after beating two Pakistani defenders which went above the cross bar despite the dominance of the Pakistani play.
Maldives defenders faced a lot of difficulties during the game facing the long balls. Especially Sobah, who was playing from the right flank, was under a lot of pressure as Pakistanis based their play from that side.
In the second half, Maldivian players resumed the play with more ambition and more spirit. There were a lot of dangerous attacks but none of them was threatening to goal as it was in the previous matches.
There were thundering bullets fired by Ashfaaq and Thoriq, which were saved brilliantly by Pakistan Keeper. None of the teams got an open chance to score a goal in the half.
In the second half, Oppo who was believed that he would not play due to the injuries he faced in the Srilankan Match. Sampath came in for him and proved he is at the same level as Oppo.
Maldivian team started to make the attacks stronger with Ashfaaq and Thoriq leading the play and forced keeper to produce superb saves. Zesh Rehman who was believed to perform well could not meet up with the strength of Ashfaaq in the second half and this resulted in a more dominant play by Maldives.
Maldives would have to wait a little bit while to find out the opponent who would face them in the semis. If India beats Bangladesh, then Maldives have to play with Bangladesh else Maldives would play against India.
This is the first time a match between Maldives and Pakistan ended as a draw. Previously Pakistan beat Maldives 4 times and they lost to Maldives once. Today is their 6th clash in international football.
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