Afghanistan beats Maldives

Trivandrum, INDIA – Afghanistan won their game against Maldives by 4-1 today to advance to the semi final of SAFF Suzuki Cup as the winners of group B. This is the first time that Afghanistan won a match against Maldives.

Maldives started the game with five changes and the surprising change was that Ashfaq started the match on the bench.

Ali Fasir tested Afghanistan keeper in the 15th minute from a wonderful free kick, which was cleared, for a corner kick.

Three minutes later Afghanistan’s Faisal Shayestah broke the deadlock from a wonderful free kick just out side the box that went straight to the roof of the net.

Ali Fasir leveled the game for the Maldives in the 31st minute after a wonderful solo effort. He penetrated the defense line and even beat the keeper to put the ball into the net.

A minute later Omid Popalzay took the lead for Afghanistan for the second time from a stunning free kick just out side the box.

Nashid in action against Afghanistan today. Maldives lost the match by 4-1. (MS Photo: Ibrahim Faid)

Hatifi increased the margin for Afghanistan in the 50th minute from a wonderful striker just out side the box. Maldives defenders cleared the ball from a corner kick and Hatifi makes no mistake to score from that.

Four minutes later Omid Popalzay increased the margin to 4-1 from good shot inside the box.

In the 65th minute Amiri hits the woodworks from a good long-range shot, keeper Imran saves the rebounded ball.

In the 81st minute keeper Imran was forced to make another save to stop a good shot from Amiri inside the box.

In the 86th minute Ali Ashfaq penetrated the defense line of Afghanistan and made a good shot but deflected for a corner kick.

Afghanistan advanced to the semi final as the winners of the group with 9 pints from three games while Maldives got the second place of the group B.

Maldives will play against group A winners, India in the semi final while Afghanistan will play against Sri Lanka on Thursday.