Samdhooh sends Maziya to AFC Cup

Feb 17, 2015 - 08:09:54 |
Maziya players celebrating the goal against Ceres today during the play off match. (MS Photo: Ismail Affan)

Male’, MALDIVES – Ali Samdhooh’s only goal in the second half of the match sends Maziya Sports and Recreation Club to the group stage of AFC Cup after a 1-0 win against Philippines Ceres De Salle FC today.

The visitors created very good goal scoring opportunities but Maziya’s keeper Imran Mohamed made some outstanding saves to keep them alive.

Five minutes before the break Imran was forced to make a good save to stop the powerful shot from Gallardo.

Two minutes later Patrick made another good shot inside the box but went wide.

In the extra time of the first half Gallardo scored inside the box but the referee ruled out it for an off side.

In the 50th minute, Umair made a good shot inside the six yard box from a superb cross from Niyaz but Ceres keeper blocked it and Pablo made another good shot from the rebounded ball Ceres players cleared it.

Maziya missed another good chance in 63rd minute when Asadhulla shot wide inside the box while he was unmarked.

Ali Samdhooh broke the deadlock in the 81st minute from a good long range shot from the left flank which hits the top corner of the net.

Samdhooh scoring the only goal against Ceres today. (MS Photo: Ismail Affan)Samdhooh scoring the only goal against Ceres today. (MS Photo: Ismail Affan)

Maziya coach Ali Suzain said after the match that it was an important win for them and it saved their season for 2015.

“It was an important win for us and this saved us the football season. If we lose this game we will have a huge pressure from some supporters and will start bullying us.”

“The players did their best throughout the game and it was their hard work.”

When asked about the squad he has for the group stage of AFC Cup he showed his happiness with the squad he has.

“We had a good average squad and it showed even in today’s game. We made two substitutes but it didn’t make any difference. With this win I am very confident about the group stage of the tournament.”

On the other hand Ceres coach Cha Soung Yooung said that he is happy with the performance and they gained lots of experience from this game.

“It was a good game and my players did their best during the game and the difference was that Maziya used the chances they got and we did miss the chances, this is football.”

“We had a good experience in this game and it was our first appearance in the AFC Cup. Maziya is a very good team and I hope them good luck in the upcoming games."

Maziya will be in the group E along with India’s Bengaluru FC, Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura and Singapore’s Warriors FC.

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Imma on Feb 17
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Maziya will come up against 3 very good teams in an extremely tough group. Bengaluru FC's fans appear to be confident that they will easily pick up 3 points against Maziya, Warriors are a strong unit and we all know about the strength of Persipura, last season's semi-finalists. The trip to Jayapura is also going to be a long one for Maziya. Hence picking up wins at home is vital for them.
DhiFootball on Feb 18
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While I congratulate maziya for getting through to the group stage of Afc cup I was shocked to see how they played yesterday. With the fast paced accurate passing performance I saw in pomis cup, I was hoping to see maziya coming up as easy winners. But instead of confidence I saw nervousness on most players. Strategy was very predictable and I felt that both the Japanese and Spanish players did not play well. Amdhan made mistakes which he normally don't and umair was seen only couple of times. Irufan should have started and may be should try umair upfront. May be the haveeru awards should have been held after this game as players may not have had enough rest as the ceremony ended at 12 mid night .

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