Manila, PHILIPPINES – Maldives national football team lost their international friendly game against Philippines by 2-0 tonight in Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. The two goals came in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Maldives played a very defensive game in the first half to test the players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier against China and created two good chances before the break.
Maldives defender Samdhooh Mohamed scored an own goal in the 50th from a header while clearing a corner kick from the Azkals.
Six minutes later Javier Patino doubled the lead from a wonderful header inside the box from a set piece.
After the two goals coach Imma made some changes to the team and introduced the young players like Naiz, Hamza, Muaz, Fasir, Moosa Yamin and Easa.
In the 70th minute Maldives striker Ahmed Nashid missed a golden opportunity to score from a descent pass from Muaz but shot it over the bar inside the box.
Two minutes later Hamza beat his marker and hits the side netting inside the six-yard box.
Maldives caretaker coach Ismail Mahfooz said that they are preparing for the match against China next week and he is happy with the performance of the players.
“I am happy with the performance of the players especially in the first half. We played very well with tactical discipline.”
“The game plan which I am trying to play against China is not what we had played during the last six months in our national team. So it will be difficult for the players to adjust to that. But the players are improving.”
Maldives will leave Philippines tomorrow for the match against China. They will arrive to China on Saturday.
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