Maldives shatter Bangladesh dream

The Maldives shattered Bangladesh dream of winning the SAFF Championship title when they won their group match 3-1 yesterday at the Trivandrum Stadium, Kerala, India.  Ali Ashfaq initiated the scoring from a penalty, Hassan Naiz reinstated the lead and Nashid Ahmed sealed the victory for Maldives while Hemanta Vincent scored a consolation goal for Bangladesh.
The shocking defeat meant Bangladesh were eliminated from the competition as it is their consecutive second defeat after a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in their opening match.  By virtue of winning the match, Maldives moved into the semifinal as they earlier won their first match against Bhutan by 3-1.  
Bangladesh tasted their last win in the SAFF Championship in 2009 against Sri Lanka while they were eliminated from semifinal conceding 0-1 defeat to India.
The first positive move of Bangladesh was launched in the 12th minute when Zahid Hassan just failed to connect a Raihan Hassan long throw-in from edge of the post.
Bangladesh gradually turned up to the game playing with some good rhythm and also opened good spaces to score goals keeping Maldives under pressure.
The real chance came to Bangladesh ways on 26th minute when Waly Faisal lofted a cross but a close range header of Zahid hit the side post.
Maldives, just getting out of the assaults fabricated a counter attack and a shot from a forward was handled by Waly Faisal inside the area and referee directed for a penalty. Ali Ashfaq, the most experienced player, converted the spot kick giving no chance to Bangladesh custodian at all, It was his 20th goal in the SAFF Championship (1-0).
Bangladesh began the second half afresh and battered the opponents playing with full authority.  But could not break the Maldives defense cordon despite going closer very often. Hemanta Vincent and Shakhawat Rony spoiled two probable scoring opportunities in two successive minutes on 73rd and 74th minute when the former failed to reach the ball on a Mamunul free-kick and then Rayhan’s long ball on danger area was saved by the defenders.
Bangladesh finally made the equaliser when a Topu Barman shot entered into the net reflecting Hemanta head ((1-1).
But Maldives caught the Bangladesh defence with a superb attacking game in the last four minutes. They again took the lead on 90th minute when their substitute Hassan Naiz brought the tally 2-1 with a superb back-heel.
Nashid Ahmed, who scored two goals off their 3-1 win against Bhutan, downed Bangladesh scoring from a counter attack on the last minute of the added period facing no problem to send the ball into a barren post (3-1).

Result
Maldives  3-1 Bangladesh

Maldives shatter Bangladesh dream

The Maldives shattered Bangladesh dream of winning the SAFF Championship title when they won their group match 3-1 yesterday at the Trivandrum Stadium, Kerala, India. Ali Ashfaq initiated the scoring from a penalty, Hassan Naiz reinstated the lead and Nashid Ahmed sealed the victory for Maldives while Hemanta Vincent scored a consolation goal for Bangladesh. The shocking defeat meant Bangladesh were eliminated from the competition as it is their consecutive second defeat after a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in their opening match. By virtue of winning the match, Maldives moved into the semifinal as they earlier won their first match against Bhutan by 3-1. Bangladesh tasted their last win in the SAFF Championship in 2009 against Sri Lanka while they were eliminated from semifinal conceding 0-1 defeat to India. The first positive move of Bangladesh was launched in the 12th minute when Zahid Hassan just failed to connect a Raihan Hassan long throw-in from edge of the post. Bangladesh gradually turned up to the game playing with some good rhythm and also opened good spaces to score goals keeping Maldives under pressure. The real chance came to Bangladesh ways on 26th minute when Waly Faisal lofted a cross but a close range header of Zahid hit the side post. Maldives, just getting out of the assaults fabricated a counter attack and a shot from a forward was handled by Waly Faisal inside the area and referee directed for a penalty. Ali Ashfaq, the most experienced player, converted the spot kick giving no chance to Bangladesh custodian at all, It was his 20th goal in the SAFF Championship (1-0). Bangladesh began the second half afresh and battered the opponents playing with full authority. But could not break the Maldives defense cordon despite going closer very often. Hemanta Vincent and Shakhawat Rony spoiled two probable scoring opportunities in two successive minutes on 73rd and 74th minute when the former failed to reach the ball on a Mamunul free-kick and then Rayhans long ball on danger area was saved by the defenders. Bangladesh finally made the equaliser when a Topu Barman shot entered into the net reflecting Hemanta head ((1-1). But Maldives caught the Bangladesh defence with a superb attacking game in the last four minutes. They again took the lead on 90th minute when their substitute Hassan Naiz brought the tally 2-1 with a superb back-heel. Nashid Ahmed, who scored two goals off their 3-1 win against Bhutan, downed Bangladesh scoring from a counter attack on the last minute of the added period facing no problem to send the ball into a barren post (3-1). Result Maldives 3-1 Bangladesh