SAFF U-18 FOOTBALL
Bangladesh beat Maldives 2-nil
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh maintained their winning streak in the five-nation SAFF U-18 Championship beating the Maldives by 2-0 in their 2nd match at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan yesterday.
Bangladesh scored both the goals in the first half when Shaikat Mahmud Munna led at the early hour and Jafar Iqbal doubled the advantage at the late hour.
By virtue of the win, Bangladesh lead the table with six points scoring six goals and conceding three, with hosts Bhutan following with equal six points from two matches having scoring two goals.
Shaikat Mahmud Munna steered Bangladesh to an impressive start opening the score line on the 14th minute. It was a very quick move that came through a combined effort smashing the Maldives defense.
Trailing by the early goal, Maldives worked hard to bounce back but could rare make threat to score goal, as Bangladesh defenders dealt well with the pressure.
Taking the lead, Bangladesh kept their dominance to increase the lead but looked a bit in hurry and lost the ball control before entering the danger area.
Jafar Iqbal, who contributed two goals in Bangladeshs incredible 4-3 victory over India trailing by three goals in the first half, doubled the lead with a superb left footer in the second last minute of the first half.
It was also an excellent attack down the right wing and Jafar Iqbal having the ball possession edged past a defender before taking an angular to mark the target minute (2-0).
On completion of the league basis matches, the top team of the five-nation meet will be the champions.
