Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dhaka: Maldives clinched the 2018 SAFF Cup after stunning India 2-1 in the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.
Defending champions India went into the final as favourites, having the psychological advantage of having beaten Maldives 2-0 in their Group B clash earlier in the tournament.
Maldives, meanwhile only advanced past the group stage after winning a coin toss against Sri Lanka to secure second spot in Group A.
Head coach Petar Segrt, however, had promised a fighting performance from his team and that is exactly what Maldives produced as Ibrahim Mahudhee Hussain scored with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box in the 19th minute.
It was the first goal India, represented by their U-23 team, had conceded in the tournament and it stung them into action but Maldives were solid in defence as they held on to their lead going into the break.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/maldives_goal1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bangladesh_goal_2.html
