Host Maldives lost 5-0 to China in the Second match of the 2022 world cup Qualifier’s. Host Maldives lost 5-0 to China in the Second match in the 2022 world cup Qualifier’s. 

Maldives started the game well with Ashfaq(Dhagandey) getting foul by two defenders. Captain Akrams freekick into the danger area just missed.

Zhen Limpeng made their first attempt to score a goal in the first 5 minutes of the game. A free kick for the foul from Ali Ashfaq in the Chinese half was cleared by Captain Akram abdul Ghanee.  

In the 33th minute China opened Maldives goal by Midfielder Wu Xi. a cross to maldives penalty box by Li Lei was scored from a header by Wu Xi while Maldivain players were all focused on the injured captian Aku rolling in front of the goal.

From massive mistakes in the midfield area Chinese took the advantage and scored the second goal in the 43th minute by Wu Xi which ended the first half with 2 goal deficit to Maldives.

The G.O.A.T of Maldives Ali Ashfaq was substituted with young blood Hassan naiz (Dhaadhu) at the start of the second half. Energetic duo Naiz and Mahudhee kept the pressure on Chinese half for the first quarter of the second half. Which lead to a free kick from Captain Akram hitting the cross bar following a re-bounce kick to goal from naiz ended hitting the side bar and China's keeper had to clear to a corner kick. From the corner Aisam of Maldives made a beautiful header directly to keeper.

At the 60^th minute Maldives had make an unexpected change for the defender Nooman to Samooh due to injury at the critical moment of the game.

China expanded their lead to 3-0 after a penalty awarded against Maldives by Yang Xu for a push by Dhaadhu. Maldives bench showed some concerns about the penalty awarded. 4^th goal was scored at the 83^rd minute and the 5^th goal on the extra time by Brazilian Born Forward Al kesen making the blood red Colored Chinese spectators with a massive roar.

Last time Maldives Played against China was in 2001. China defeated Maldives 1-0 in Maldives National Stadium. With today’s win china is on the top of the table in the group with Syria on the second following Philippines in the 3^rd place who defeated Guam 4-1 in today’s match in Guam. Maldives is in 4^th place with win over Guam and Guam at the bottom with no point at all.

Photo: FAM