Dhaka: The Indian football team went down fighting 1-2 against Maldives in the final of the SAFF Cup 2018 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here, Saturday.
A goal each in either side of the break saw Maldives go 2-0 up before India finding a consolation goal in the added-on time through Sumeet Passi.
The Indians however, started on a positive note but a couple of brilliantly executed counter attacks and a resilient defensive display from the Islanders shattered the defending champions’ dream of clinching their record eighth SAFF title.
India were the brighter side at the starting of the match as they continued to push Maldives to their limit until they scored against the run of the play in the 19th minute. On a quick counter-attacking move, Naiz Hussain played a deft delivery to Ibrahim Hussain only to see him gleefully score the opener before the 20-minute mark.
India, in their pursuit of the equaliser, came close quite a few times but the attackers were missing the finesse in front of the opposition goal.
On the half-hour mark, Ashique Kuruniyan delivered a low cross from the left flank directed to Farukh Chaudhury who lost his balance to lose the opportunity. On the resultant corner, Subhasish Bose jumped to head it home but the Maldivian goalie Mohamed Faisal fisted the danger away.
Maldives doubled their lead in the 68th minute only to add a pinch of salt to India’s wounds. On another quick counter-attacking move, Hamzath Mohamed outran the Indian defence line to glide it on to an onrushing Ali Fasir who poked it home to send the Maldives bench into a rupture.
Sumeet sprung some life into the game having scored a goal for India in the added-on time but it was too little too late to deny the inevitable. On a cross from the right wing by Nikhil Poojary, Sumeet tucked it in to breach the sturdy Maldivian defense finally.