Pakistan Beats Maldives 3-0 to Secure SAFF Championship Semifinal Spot

Pakistan defeated the Maldives 3-0 in Dhaka on Sunday to book a semifinal berth in the SAFF Championship.

Following a 3-2 defeat against India in their opening Group B match, Pakistan needed a victory to stay in contention for the tournament’s final four. Coach Nolberto Solano adjusted his lineup with four changes, and the squad responded with a commanding performance at the National Stadium.

Pakistan finished group play with three points and a plus-two goal difference across two matches. India also held three points with a plus-one goal difference from their single match ahead of their fixture against the Maldives.

Pakistan established an early advantage when Aroon Abdullah converted a penalty in the fourth minute. Najeeb Ullah doubled the lead five minutes later by finishing a cross from Junaid Ahmed Shah.

The 19-year-old forward secured the result with an individual effort, dribbling past defender Amdhan Ali on the right side before striking a left-footed shot from the edge of the six-yard box. The outcome mirrored Pakistan’s 3-0 win over the Maldives during the Diamond Jubilee International tournament in Male in June.

I think we feel a little bit better, Pakistan coach Solano Todco said, noting that missing two days of training prior to the India match impacted their preparation. I’m pleased with the result. We are still alive in the competition, so we are looking forward to the semifinal games.

Maldives coach Istvan Urbanyi argued the match could have taken a different trajectory had his team capitalized on early chances. The first two minutes of the game, we had a chance to score two goals, Urbanyi said, adding that the early penalty created a mental shock.

Tournament regulations dictate that ties in group points are broken first by head-to-head records. Goal difference in matches between tied teams serves as the next tiebreaker.

India needed only a draw against the Maldives to win Group B. A heavy defeat, however, carried the risk of elimination for the nine-time champions.

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