Maldives football team is 31 steps ahead of Bangladesh in the rankings. The field is also theirs. That’s why the galleries on both sides are shouting in support of the Maldives.
Even in such an unfavorable environment, team of Jamal Bhuiyan stopped the hosts in the first half. But in the second half, Bangladesh could not stop Maldives. Had to digest two goals.
The Maldives beat Bangladesh 2-0 at the Rashmi Dhandu Stadium in Male, the capital of the Maldives, on Thursday. Hazma Mohammad scored one of the two goals. Ali Ashfaq increased the gap with another successful penalty kick.
In the first half, Bangladesh was more busy managing the defense. Bangladesh have committed a number of fouls around the D-box to keep the net safe, with Maldives getting a few free kicks. However, they did not seize the opportunity.
Bangladesh forwards have also failed. Matin-Bipul has risen several times in every attack. But those attacks did not spread fear in the Maldivian camp.
Matin Mia and Bipolu entered the box with the ball a few times but could not take a good shot on target.
However, Bangladesh could have been in danger in 29 minutes. Ali Ashfaq, one of the best footballers in South Asia, gave a great square pass to Nihan Hossain on the left. Nihan could not take a proper shot as he stood in front of Saduddin’s way. The ball goes out of the post.
Earlier, Bangladesh got the first corner of the match in the 21st minute. Jamal Bhuiyan’s corner kick had nothing to say. After the defenders returned, Mohammad Ibrahim’s long-range volley flew over much of the crossbar.
Meanwhile, a Maldives defender was injured and they changed a player in the first half. Bangladesh did not change any player in the first half.
In the added time of the first half, Ashfaq’s curved free kick jumped and Bangladesh’s savior Zico protected the net.
The first half of the two-team match ended goalless on Thursday at the Rashmi Dhandu Stadium in Male, the capital of the Maldives.
Hamza Mohammad gave Maldives the lead in the 55th minute of the second half. Ali Ashfaq doubled the lead in the 84th minute.
Bangladesh became desperate to score in the last 3 minutes. Leaving the midfield, Jamal Bhuiyan and Tapu Varman also came up. Jewel Runner’s great last minute effort was worth watching.
But the ball could not be caught in the net of Maldives. As a result, Maldives got the first 3 points in this year’s SAF Championship with a 2-0 victory.
Bangladesh saw two yellow cards in the match. Tariq saw his first yellow card in three matches. And after the Sri Lanka match, Yasin Arafat, the hero of the India match, got a yellow card in this match. Bangladesh has to enter the field without him in the Nepal match.
