In the ongoing SAFF U-18 Championship 2017, in Bhutan, Maldives has lost the last match of the championship against India today evening by 2-1.

Maldives started with number of changes to the starting line up compared to their last game. Maldives under 19 head coach, Ihsan Abdul Ghani (Saanthi) stated that his players are suffering from tiredness and on the other hand loosing the previous three games in the campaign, it seems his idea in today’s match was to use more fresh players on the pitch to end the campaign at least with a better result than their previous three matches.

Well, have to say that Maldives ended the match with a better result than their previous outings. Having already lost the chance to reach third place spot of the campaign prior to today’s match and already India confirming as the third place team, there was nothing to play for both teams.

It was Maldives side that took the lead of the match at the 18th minute from a set piece. Mohamed Azzam’s high flying free kick from the centre of the pitch reached to the India’s penalty box finding Maldives player, Zihan who tried to head the ball in to the net. Though the India keeper managed to punch Zihan’s header, the ball rebounded just in front of Ahmed Tholal, who was just waiting at the far post freely and he made it 1-0 with a simple tap-in the ball into the back of the net.

Maldives managed to stop the regional power house Indian juniors until 37th minute. Rebello Princeton levelled the game for India with a brilliant finishing with a very creative ball from Indian midfield. The ball dived into the right bottom corner. Just three minutes later Hardik Abishek’s powerful shot from outside of the box ended at the right top corner leaving Maldives young goal keeper Samaah action less. India made it 2-1 before the half time. There were not much chances created by both sides during the second half of the match. Match ended on India favour by 2-1.

Speaking about today’s and overall championship performances from his side Maldives U19 national Coach, Ihsan said that his side was not fully prepared for this tournament and lack of experience in players somehow effected their performance.

This year’s championship format was changed due to Sri Lanka withdrawing their name. Maldives ended the SAFF U-18 at the bottom among the participating five nations with zero points.