Maldives National Football Team suffered a second defeat in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against group hosts Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan came into the second game after crushing Sri Lanka in the first game with a comprehensive 3-0 win.

Meanwhile, Maldives had also lost the first game against Thailand by the same three goal margin. Uzbekistan had a strong home attendance as they came up against the Red Snappers. As expected the Uzbeks started the game strongly with control of possession and attacking momentum. Uzbekistan’s patience was rewarded in the third minute thanks to captain Eldor. 

despite conceading Maldives kept tight at the back and ended the half by a goal down. However, in the second half the flood gates opened. Six minutes into the second half Eldor fired his second followed by his hattrick in the 80th minute. Oston Urinov wrapped up the game in the 86th minute for Uzbekistan.

In the other group game Sri Lanka took on Thailand and the Thai side secured three points to set up a thrilling final group game fixture against Uzbekistan with the winners securing the place in the AFC Cup while the second place side will have to wait for results elsewhere. The top six teams from all groups will secure the place in the AFC Asian Cup finals while five best second place sides will also secure a place in the Asian Cup finals.

The 2023 Asian Cup finals was set to be held in China but the country has since withdrawn due to the corona virus pandemic that the country is struggling to coupe with. AFC is planning to announce a second round of bidding shortly after the third round of qualification ramps up.