Lebanon beat Maldives

Mar 24, 2015 - 12:54:22 |
Mohamed Irufan scored the only goal for Maldives tonight against Lebanon. (Photo: FAM)

Muscat, LEBANON - Maldives U23 team lost their first game against Lebanon by 2-1 in the 2016 AFC U23 Championship Qualifier tonight.

Maldives started the game very well and took the lead in the fourth minute from a wonderful header from Mohamed Irufan.

Lebanon made an early substitution after the goal from Maldives.

In the 39th minute Rizuvan missed a golden opportunity to double the lead. Rizuvan's shot out side the box went wide while keeper failed to clear the ball.

In the 59th Jazlan made a stunning save to to stop the free kick from Lebanon player.

In the hour mark Maldives introduced Suhail for Muslih. And few minutes later Sadhin comes in for Rizuvan.

Lebanon leveled the game in the 65th minute by Ali Sabah.

In the 78th minute Ali Sabah took the lead for Lebanon.

Maldives team coach Assad Abdul Ghani said after the match that the only difference was experience.

"We were in front till 65 mins and they used their height advantage. We played like a winner and I am proud of our performance."

"Our main problem was that our players didn't have much experience at this level."

Maldives will play their second match against Bahrain on Wednesday.

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boyko on Mar 24
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Result not bad. Lebanon sits some 20 points above us in fifa ranking. They are physically well-built, strong team. To lose by a goal is an achievement in itself. Our players need a better life style and more international games to boost their confidence. Also more attention is needed to rectify there extreme tiredness in the least 20 minutes of a match.
mushtaq on Mar 24
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I think in its not the players inexperience that is at fault however assad's lack of experience as a coach is the core reason for our defeat.Its no secret that assad's changes in the game to counter Lebanon's changes was to blame.Had he maintained the original squad it would be a different news altogether..i am sure..
Imma on Mar 25
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The only way to rectify this is by keeping him at the job. He will accumulate vital experience then while working alongside Popov will also improve him. Assad is an intelligent person who could become a very good coach.
Reality on Mar 25
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yes it's very true Assad , Maldives are lack of experience as a coach you are 1st time in a team and you are with very low qualifications so you need more experience in this level as a coach GOODLUCK for next match
footballmad on Mar 25
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a very good effort against a much stronger team; Good Luck to coash, Assad and the whole squad. I'm confident you can perform as well or even better in today's match!

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