Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal's heroics in the late stages help Maldives to a 0-0 draw against Sri Lanka.

Maldives started the game stronger with Sri Lanka keeping all men behind the ball. It took couple of very good early saves from the Sri Lankan custodian Sujan Perera to keep Maldives at bay. Halfway through the first Naizer Mohamed Fazal's goal was ruled offside even though replay shows that he was onside. Maldives dominated play but Sri Lankan counter attacks were making them more confident.

Second half Sri Lanka was getting into the game more, with more effective counter attack. In the last third of the game, Sri Lanka's attacks were a menace to the Maldives defense line with goal keeper Faisal keeping them out on several occasions including a double save from close range.

Late in the Maldives crept through into the Sri Lankan penalty box, Ibrahim Mahudhee Hussain had only the goalkeeper to beat from wide. Mahudhee's pass was tapped into the goal by Riham Abdul Ghani (Bobby) who had run into an offside position. Both the goalkeepers had an excellent game to keep the score at 0-0.

Sri Lanka has to rely on results else where. If Maldives wins or draws against India, Sri Lanka will be knocked out. 

Maldives will have to raise their game on Sunday when they meet the giants India. Even a 0-1 defeat for Maldives will see them finish second in the group and qualify to the semi-finals. 

Photo: ImagesMV