Today, in Tajikistan, in the ongoing AFC U-19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers, second match in the qualifying, Maldives under 19 national team has lost to Bangladesh side. Bangladesh surprised Maldives by a late winner during injury time.

Maldives faced the match after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Sri Lanka in the first match of the qualifying, in which Maldives almost won the match while Sri Lanka scored the game leveler during injury time.

On the other hand, Bangladesh faced today’s action after a solid performance against qualifying host, Tajikistan. Bangladesh held the home side, Tajikistan from scoring and earned a point from the match as it ended as a goal nil draw.

As Maldives under 19 national team head coach, Ihsan Abdul Ghani (Saanthi) said in the pre match press that his side will be approaching the Bangladesh match with a defensive strategy. Bangladesh came to AFC after a very strong performance in the recent U-18 SAFF.

Maldives entered the match with a single change to previous starting lineup. Maldives kept Bangladesh from finding the net till the referee shows the injury time. Bangladesh substitute forward player Mabubur Rahman found the opponent net in the 90+ minute and secured the first three points from the qualifiers.

Now in Group B, Bangladesh sits at the 1^st place with 4 points from two games and two more games to be played. In Second, Uzbekistan sits with 3 points from one game and two more games to be played. Maldives sits in the third position with a point while two more games in hand. Sri Lanka ranks in fourth while two more games to be played. And hosting Tajikistan sits at the bottom of the group with a single point while three more games in hand.

Next match for Maldives in AFC U-19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers

Uzbekistan vs Maldives, 4th November 2017, 12:00 hrs (local time).

(Photo: Bangladesh Football Federation)