National team wins exhibition match

Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives national team wins the exhibition against 2008 SAFF Champions by 1-0 last night. Imran Nasheed scored the only goal in the first half.

The match was played to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the historic win against India and also to restart the work to take the Maldives football to the next levelt.

The midfield maestro, Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez and former Argentina captain Roberto Ayala were the special guests of the match. Ayala played for the 2008 winners team in the second half.

Imran Nasheed scored the only goal of the match in the 9th minute after a fine display by Ali Fasir and Ismail Easa.

Asadhulla Abdulla and Naiz Hassan also missed some good chances to score against the 2008 Winners.

Coach Jozsef Jankech gave the chance to play almost all the players of the 2008 SAFF Champions. And he also introduced Roberto Ayala into the match in the second half.

Football Association of Maldives presented a special plaque to Jozsef Jankech during the half to acknowledge his service to Maldives football.

Roberto Ayala and Sobah Mohamed (Photo: Nishan Ali / Mihaaru)