Maldives 3-1 Bangaldesh
2008 SAFF champions Maldives struck thrice through Ashfaq Ali, Naiz Hassan, and Ahmed Nashid to see off Bangladesh in a nervy encounter and sail through to the last four from group B. The game was an otherwise cagey affair, but burst into life when goals in the dying stages brought about an enthralling end to the clash.
Following over 25 minutes of equal exchanges, the first chance of the match fell to Bangladesh when Zahid smashed a header against the upright after latching on to a beautiful pass from Waly Faisal. Just minutes later, the Bengal Tigers spurned another chance to go in front when Hemanta's limp effort failed to beat the Maldives ‘keeper after going one-on-one.
The Red Snappers then broke the deadlock moments before half-time when skipper Ashfaq cooly slotted home the penalty that resulted after Faisal appeared to have handled the ball in the box during a corner.
Chances were at a premium in the second stanza, but Bangladesh managed to send shivers down Maldives’ spine when Hemanta Biswas restored parity with only 4 minutes of normal time remaining. Topu Barman attempted a longe range effort that took a deflection off Biswas to crash into the back of the net.
Just when it seemed as if the honors would end even, Naaiz Hassan popped up with a lifeline for Maldives when he struck in the 90th minute to put his side ahead, before Ahmed Nashid killed the tie with a third in the final minute.
The win leaves Maldives with 6 points and into the semis, but will have to get the better of leaders Afghanistan to ensure a top-of-the-table finish to the group.
Afghanistan 4-0 Bhutan
Just hours later at the Trivandrum International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, defending champions Afghanistan thwacked a hapless Bhutan with three unanswered goals to canter to the last four in emphatic fashion.
Having drubbed Bangladesh 4-0 in their last outing, the Afghans followed that up with another resounding victory, to truly lay down the gauntlet to fellow favourites India. Khaibar Amani struck on the either side of Masih Saighani’s strike to round off a comfortable evening Petar Segrt's side.
The Afghan Lions flew out of the traps right from the off, and pressurized Druk Yul with their high-pressing. For all their dominance, Afghanistan could only break the deadlock within the first quarter when Amani bundled through the keepers legs from close range.
Afghanistan then created a few more chances, and deservedly doubled their advantage through Sighani, who got his head on a fine delivery by Amiri. After returning from the break, the men in white started the game as they did in the first half- on the front foot. No wonder then, as they struck another blow to a limp Bhutan when the Afghans went 3-0 up as Amani moved to the top of the scoring charts with 3 goals.
Afghanistan seemed to enjoy the three goal cushion as they would continue to dominate possession, but played tiki-taka for the remainder of the game, passing the ball relentlessly and sitting deep.
The Dragon Boys were in no man’s land for large spells of the game as they struggled to break the oppisition defence, and faltered their way going forward. Having also convincingly lost 3-1 to Maldives in the opening game, the Himalayan nation are put out of their miserable campaign by Afghanistan as they are driven out of the tournament.
