Maldives survived a late rally to beat Bhutan 3-1 and qualify for the semi-finals of the 4th SAFF Women’s Championship at Siliguri, India.
Maldives started off with much better possession on the ball the early minutes of the first half, they created a number of opportunities but somehow lacked that finishing that could have given them a break through. Bhutan on the other hand seemed to be struggling with the ball.
It was Maldives who took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to the Bhutanese custodian who let ball slip from right under her feet off the shot taken by the Maldivian captain Fadhuwa Zahir.
Maldives had another chance on goal in the 33rd minute. Mariyam Rifa drove in from the left before through a low cross for Aishath who went in for that final shot but got blocked by the keeper.
Maldives got their 2nd goal in the 36th minute. A direct free-kick from a long range saw the Bhutanese keeper coming off her line to grab the ball but instead she let the ball slip off her hands. Aminath Shaamila took advantage of the opportunity and guided the ball home into an open net.
Bhutan had a brilliant chance to get one back in the 73rd minute through Gangay Budhar who went for the shot from just outside the box, her power packed shot landed just above the crossbar thus ending the attack with a goal kick.
Bhutan finally managed to get back one in the 81st minute through Tanka Maya Ghalley who drove down the box, moved a further right before taking a powerful right footer past the keeper and into the net.
Maldives got their 3rd goal in the added time through Faduwah Zahir who took it solo, drove further down the box and went for that final low shot past the keeper into the far corner of the net.
