Afghanistan book semifinals berth beating Maldives

SYLHET, Aug 12 (UNB): Afghanistan reached the semifinals of the six-team South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-16 Championship eliminating the Maldives by 4-2 goals in their first Group B match at Sylhet Stadium here Wednesday.

Abu Naser Amini struck twice, Shayek Hakimi and Sher Ahmed Hamedi netted one goal each for Afghanistan who dominated the first half by 1-0 goal.

Yanish Adil and Ismail Zaan Amir scored one goal each for the Maldives, both in the 2nd half.

In the match, Shayek Hakimi opened the Afghan account in the 11th minute by a left footer off a Rahim Azizi pass (1-0).

In the 48th minute, Abu Naser Amini doubled the Afghan margin by a brilliant placing shot from goalmouth melee after beating one defender and the custodian (2-0). Abu Naser Amini scored his 2nd and the 3rd goals for Afghanistan six minutes later, utilising a Rahim Azizi pass (3-0).

Substitute player Yanish Adil reduced the margin for the Maldives in the 62nd minute, making fool the opponent defender and goalie, capitalising on a long pass of Ahmed Firash (3-1).

Afghan substitute booter Sher Ahmed Hamedi further sounded the margin scoring the 4th goal in the 76th minute from a goalmouth melee (4-1).

Captain Ismail Zaan Amir scored the 2nd goal for the Maldives just one minute before the final whistle from a penalty (4-2).

The Maldives got the spot kick when Afghan defender fouled onrushing Maldives forward Yanish Adil in the danger zone.