A player who had potential to light up world football

Ali Ashfaq doesn’t know it. Neither does many of the spectators in the almost fully packed stadium. But then, when he blasted a fine defence-splitting pass from Umair into the roof of the net, against Persibo of Indonesia in the 67th minute, it was incidentally yet another important milestone in the career of arguably one of the finest player Maldives have ever produced. 300th career goal in competitive football is no small feat.

It all began almost 12 years ago in the yellow and blue jersey of Valencia. He was barely 16 years old. He used to come on as a substitute in the final minutes of the game. Even then there was something exciting about his exuberant energy and good dribbling skills. He runs with the ball with quick burst of pace, past the defenders with agility, and shoots with a lethal left foot. Unlike many of his peers he makes goals looks so simple. Some of the executions are simply outstanding.

There was an instant suggestion here was a kid who would make it big one day. And it does not take him long to announce his arrival on the national scene. In 2003, he scored a magnificent 36 goals. No Maldivian player before has scored more than 30 goals in a season. He was only 18 and also won Haveeru Maldivian footballer of year 2003.

Since then there has been no turning back. He has been terrorizing defences and oppositions with incredible finesse and reliability in front of the goal. His childhood nickname ‘Dhaganday’ not only became synonymous with his success for the club he plays but also for the national football team. His brute strength coupled with sublime skills as a creator and scorer of elegant goals made him instant hit with football lovers all over the country.

He can dribble through tightest of defences and meanest of defenders with his sheer body strength. Before long records start tumbling. He becomes the first player to score four goals for national team, against Mongolia in a World Cup preliminary round. And 12 in a league game. He also holds the record for maximum goals scored in a season and that is 39 in 2009. As recently as March this year he added yet another feather to his distinguished record when he scored five goals against Percibo in AFC Cup. His flair for dribbling is remarkably reflected in most of the goals he has scored in his career. Rounding the defenders as well as goalkeeper in his trademark style.

He won Haveeru Golden Boot record five times. One goal that will remain etched in memory is the goal he scored in SAFF 2011 against Nepal. He receives the ball midway from keeper Imran. In the next few seconds it was a blur, he sped past a clutch of defenders in a blink of eye and unleashed a 20-yard ferocious drive to the top right corner. It was Dhaganday at his best.

Perhaps we may not see a player of his calibre anytime soon. His is a special talent worthy of a bigger stage, perhaps somewhere in Europe. And that is exactly the only downside of his distinguished career. He chose to showcase his talent in an inferior league even as offers rained on him from different corner of the globe.