Maldives U23 1 - 0 Singapore U23: Asadhullah scores the winner

Asadhullah celebrates after scoring the goal

source: maldivesoccer.com
Maldives Under 23 has edged past the resilient Singapore Under 23 national team in the first friendly played in National Stadium. The only goal scored in the match was by Asadullah in the dying minutes of the first half.

Maldives got the first chance to score early in the game. In the 5th minute, Ibrahim Abdullah’s header from Umair’s free kick went inches away from the post.

Maldives got another opportunity in the 42nd minute. Ali Fasir crossed into the penalty area and Abdullah Ibrahim took the shot from around 10 yards from the goal. But his shot hit the post and went out for a goal kick.

Three minutes later, Asadhullah took the lead for Maldives from a free kick to the near post.

However, in the second half, Singapore dominated the possession, but lacked any creativity in front of the goal.

After the match, Maldives under 23 coach said he was happy with the score line, but there are areas for the team to improve.

“There are areas which we need to improve. But the players worked hard and they played well tonight”

“We did not have an attacking midfielder tonight. When Ashfaaq returns, the gap between the midfield and the strikers would not be there. But tonight, especially in the second half we saw it”

“It’s the first day of fasting in here today. The boys were a bit tired in the second half. It was difficult for them to adjust to the situation”

Meanwhile, Singapore’s Under 23 national team coach Surandhuram Murthi said that they played against a side of 14 players rather than 11.

“We played very well against the 11 players. But when there are 14 players it was too difficult for us. I hope for the next game there would be 11 players."

“We would come back. We will win the next game. But I hope we would have better referees for the next game instead of the team we had tonight”