Defending South Asian champions Afghanistan ran riot once again as they slaughtered a subdued Maldives 4-1 to finish as the leaders of Group B and set up a date with minnows Sri Lanka in the semi-finals. Faysal Shayesteh, Omid Popalzay and Ahmad Hatifi were among the goals for The Lions whilst Ali Fasir got the only goal for the tropical nation.
Having already qualified for the knock-out round, both sides made a raft of changes in the line-up that featured in their previous outings, as they looked to avoid a potential clash with hosts India in the semi-finals.
First Half :
The game got off without any great shakes as chances were at a premium initially, but midway in the opening half, the Afghans found the breakthrough when Shayesteh profited from a defensive gaffe by Maldives and bundled the ball home for the opener.
The Red Snappers however, were not to be frazzled as they gave a Roland to Afghanistan’s Oliver just 10 minutes later when Ali Fasir evened the scores with a brilliant solo effort. The winger waltzed past his marker and rounded the keeper to slam home through two defenders waiting near the goal-line.
The equalizer handed a lifeline for a largely lackadaisical Maldives, but Afghanistan retaliated with a goal of their own when Omid Popalzay struck a wonderful free-kick into the top corner and beyond the reach of the ‘keeper. The holders were back in the lead and from thereon, there was no looking back.
Second Half :
After squandering two good chances towards the dying embers of the first-half through Hakimi and Nashid, the men in red started the second half by going hell for leather and in the 51st minute, got their third after Hatifie blitzed a sensational volley after a poor corner-kick clearance by Maldives, and Afghanistan soon put the lid on the tie as Popalzay grabbed his brace from close range.
Mustafa Zazai was handed an opportunity to get on the scoresheet after going one-on-one with the Maldives custodian, but hit the ball straight towards his arms. The miss though, mattered little as The Afghan Lions sauntered to a comfortable 4-1 win over Maldives, their first ever win over the Island nation, and set-up a date with the Lankans in the semi-finals.
As Maldives finish second in the group after the defeat, they take on the hosts and favourites India in the first semi-finals on Thursday.
