Pakistan thrash Maldives to keep semifinal hopes alive

Photo: collected

Pakistan kept their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive with a convincing 3-0 win over the Maldives in the SAFF Championship on Sunday.

After losing their opening match to India, Pakistan needed a win against the Maldives to stay in the race for the last four. They delivered a strong performance to secure all three points.

Pakistan started the match on the attack at the National Stadium in Dhaka and scored all three goals in the first half.

Mikail Arun Abdullah gave Pakistan the lead from the penalty spot in the fourth minute after being fouled inside the box. He made no mistake from the spot.

Five minutes later, Pakistan doubled their lead. Najib Ullah scored with a brilliant shot from the edge of the box in the ninth minute.

Najib Ullah scored again in the 24th minute, taking advantage of a mistake by experienced Maldives defender Amdhan Ali. He fired a long-range angled shot to make it 3-0.

Pakistan had started the tournament with a 3-2 defeat to India. With this win, they now have three points from two matches, keeping their semifinal hopes alive.

The defeat has left the Maldives in a difficult position. They will face strong opponents India in their second match on November 11.