Afghanistan registered a comprehensive 3-0 win over Himalayan nation Bhutan, while in the day’s first match Maldives defeated Bangladesh 3-1 to nearly confirm a semi-final berth at the Trivandrum International Stadium.
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Afghanistan, in their last outing in Saff Championship after deciding to join Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan in Central Asia zone, hammered Bangladesh on goals from Masih Saighani, Faysal Shayesteh, Zubayr Amiri and Khaibar Amani.
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The pressure led to the first goal as Imaaz easily found the back of the net with a sharp strike.
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Contrary to the scoreline, the Maldives began the match on high intensity but midfielder Omid Popalzay turned the tide twice for Afghanistan to give them their third consecutive victory in the tourney. The tall centre-forward could have doubled his tally in the 40th minute had his attempt on goal not been kept out brilliantly by the outstretched right leg of Gurung. Zubyr Amri hit the post in the 67th minute and he was again denied by a good save from Imran in the 82nd minute.
On Monday, for Bangladesh, Topu Barman scored once and Mohammad Shakawat Hossain Rony struck a brace.
Some minutes later, the situation got worse for Bhutan when a case of mistaken identity saw Chimi Dorji sent off for a tackle from behind on Hemonta Biswas inside the box by Jigme Dorjee. Nepal responded positively and Chencho Gyeltshen shot out narrowly in the 19th minute.
Topu Barman put Bangladesh ahead in the 8th minutes by a close ranged header utilising a corner pass, 1-0.
Rony, who had missed two sitters in crucial circumstances in the two previous matches, made no mistake this time, sending Bhutan keeper Hari Gurung the wrong way.
Yellow cards: Chencho Gyeltshen and Jigme Tshering Dorji (Bhutan); Sahidul Alam (Bangladesh). The half-time score-line read 2-0 in favor of Afghanistan.
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Even though Bangladesh won, they crashed out of the tournament along with Bhutan.
