Maldives started their SAFF Championship 2023 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bhutan in the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. That was surely not a comfortable victory for them as their goalkeeper, Hussain Shareef made plenty of saves. He was the saviour throughout the match for the Maldives. They got an early lead after Hamza scored from the penalty spot in the 6th minute. They went down and parked the bus throughout the match after that but still, Bhutan couldn't find any equalizer. Hassan Naiz scored in the 90th minute confirming the three points for Maldives. Hassan Raif was shown a red card later into the additional minutes but it didn't matter for them as they defended the scoreline and registered a huge victory.
SAFF Championship 2023: Maldives vs Bhutan
Match Report:
First Half:
Maldives got the lead right after the kickoff. Hamza scored from the penalty spot but they couldn't dominate the game. Bhutan kept most of the possession and tried to penetrate the opposition's defense but goalkeeper, Hussain Shareef made plenty of saves. He was the saviour throughout the match for the Maldives. Bhutan continuously tried to score the equalizer but they couldn't find any. Shareef sustained an injury but decided to carry on and played at the same level. Surely, he was the best player for the Maldives in the match. The first half ended with a 1-0 scoreline but Bhutan were clearly better.
Second Half:
Bhutan dominated the second half also. They kept most of the possessions, took the most number of shots, and played more passes. They were better in every possible way except than finishing and the man who held his ground strongly against Bhutan was Hussain Shareef. Bhutan took a total of 24 shots and 10 were on target. Shareef struggled with his body throughout the match but he kept going on for his side and saved plenty of brilliant saves. In the 90th minute, Maldives confirmed their victory by scoring the second goal of the match. Hassan Naiz scored the goal but another Hassan, Hassan Raif was shown the red card in the 92nd minute. The match ended with a 2-0 scoreline and Maldives got away with the three points. Many would argue, Bhutan deserved better but Maldives also gave their everything while defending their goal and it is just part of the game.
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Bhutan Coach Pema Dorji said, "On behalf of the team, we would like to thank all the visitors who supported us."
SAFF Championship 2023 | Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | Starting XI | 6:54 P.M.
Maldives:
HUSSAIN SHAREEF
SAMOOH ALI
AHMED NUMAAN
HUSSAIN SIFAAU YOOSUF
MOHAMED IRUFAAN
IBRAHIM AISAM
HAMZA MOHAMED
HAISHAM HASSAN
IBRAHIM MAHUDHEE HUSSAIN
IBRAHIM WAHEED HASSAN
HUSSAIN NIHAAN
Bhutan:
TSHERING DENDUP
KARMA SHEDRUP TSHERING
NIMA TSHERING
TENZIN NORBU
DORJI
TENZIN DORJI
1YESHI DORJI
KINGA WANGCHUK
KARMA SONAM
NIMA WANGDI
TSHELTHRIM NAMGYEL
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 7:28 P.M.
The players are out of the tunnel. The game is all set to begin
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 1′ | Kick Off
Bhutan start the game by playing from right to left.
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 5′ | Penalty for Maldives
Hamza fouled inside the box after an amazing run from his own half.
SAFF Championship 2023: Maldives vs Bhutan | 6′ | Goal!!.. for Maldives
Hamza opens the scoring after an incredibly composed penalty.
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 18′ | An equal fixture
The game has been very entertaining and open so far, with both sets of teams doing extremely well in their offensive play
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 22′ | Brilliant save from Shareef
An incredible save by Maldives' keeper Shareef, who successfully won a 1v1 battle against Nepal's number 10 Dorji.
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 26′ | Injury
Maldives' keeper Shareef is down on the ground. The player is receiving medical attention
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 30′ | Another incredible save by Shareef
Shareef once again comes to Maldives' rescue with an incredible double save
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 35′ | Offside
Bhutan scored, but the score has been disallowed for offside.
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 39′ | Yellow card for Dorji
The defender sees a yellow card for a reckless challenge
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 44′ | Free kick for Bhutan
A spot kick from just a few yards away from the box in a promising position
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 45′ | Maldives survived
The Reds are out of danger
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 45′ | 2 minutes add on
Maldives vs Bhutan: Live Blog | 45′ | Hamza got injured
Hamza is being stretched off the field. The player incurred an injury during the free kick and is very likely to be subbed off
SAFF Championship 2023: Maldives vs Bhutan | 1-0 | Half-time
It has been an exciting and action-packed first half here at the Kanteerava. Maldives opened the scoring inside the opening six minutes, and despite Bhutan's valiant efforts, they couldn't equalize.
Maldives vs Bhutan | 46′ | 2nd half Kick off
A strong start from Bhutan but Shareef came to the rescue again for Maldives
Maldives vs Bhutan | 57′ | SUBSTITUTION
OUT: Hassan Ahmad - IN: Imran Hussain
Maldives vs Bhutan | 61′ | Less than 30 minutes left for Bhutan to score
Bhutan have done extremely well, but are still unable to find a goal
Maldives vs Bhutan | 68′ | Boring half so far
The game missing the clinical edge in this second half.
Maldives vs Bhutan | 73′ | Shareef is the ultimate saviour
Another incredible save by Shareef. A close flick by Bhutan's striker, but a wonderful reflex save by Shareef to deny their opponents an equalizer.
Maldives vs Bhutan | 78′ | Yellow Card for Ali
The defender fouled Bhutan's no 9
Maldives vs Bhutan | 84′ | Shareef down with an injury
The player looks in some pain. He has been the best player for the Maldives today.
SAFF Championship 2023: Maldives vs Bhutan | 90′ | Second Goal!!.. for Maldives
The Maldives score courtesy of Naiz Hassan. An incredible play by the Maldives gives them a two-goal cushion and seals a victory for them.
Maldives vs Bhutan | 90′ | Red Card
Hassan has been sent off. The already booked player crashed into a dangerous double-footed tackle and is therefore shown a second yellow
SAFF Championship 2023: Maldives vs Bhutan | 2-0 | Full-time
Maldives have claimed a victory in their SAFF Championship opener, as they get two goals past Bhutan. The Whites played incredibly well throughout the night but couldn't find a goal. An early and late goal by the Maldives sealed the deal for them and handed Bhutan a disappointing defeat.