Maldives U16 national team managed to win against Sri Lanka in a pre-tournament friendly match by 3-0.

National junior team is in Lanka now for a short training camp before leaving to Nepal for U-15 SAFF Championship. During the time in Lanka, team will be playing double friendlies against the same Sri Lankan U16 team which will be competing in the U-15 SAFF Championship.

Coach Mohamed Shaazly’s starting xi chose for today’s match was, Mohamed Raif (GK, J#1), Mohamed Faihan (J#2), Ibrahim Anoof (J#4), Alim Abdul Latheef (J#13), Mohamed Aban (J#23), Ismail Yooh (J#11), Ahmed Samaah (C, J#7), Ahmed Nahil (J#6), Ismail Mimrah (J#17), Ahmed Raslan (VC, J#9) and Ibrahim Imran (VC, J#10).

Maldives juniors ended the first half leading by 1-0 from the opening goal of the match in the 14^th minutescored by the vice captain Ibrahim Imran. Imran is from Iskandharu School.

Later in the second half Maldives managed to score a brace. The two goals came from Midfielder Ismail Yooh in the 72^nd minute and six minutes later, in the 78^th minute, midfielder Ismail Mimrah made his name to the score sheet by scoring the third of the evening. Mimrah is from Majeedhiya School while Yooh is from Iskandharu School.

It was the first from the double friendlies that Maldives junior side is set to play agains Sri Lanka in preparation for the very soon starting U-15 SAFF Championship.

This is the very first international experience for these young players, and a 3-0 from their very first international friendly match will sure boost the young spirits and help in many ways for the upcoming fixtures, which is believed to be tough as Maldives is grouped with Nepal and India in group B for U-15 SAFF.

Next friendly will be played on 14^th August and it is believed that Coach Shaaz may use different outfield players for the second friendly fixture as their main target is to help these young players to develop and serve them playing experience.