Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Male: A late penalty from captain Ashad Ali gave Maldivian champions New Radiant SC a 2-1 win over tournament debutants Lao FC in Group H of the AFC Cup at the National Stadium in Male on Wednesday.
The away side were the stronger in the first half and took the lead in the 38th minute through forward Maitee Hatsady (pictured) before New Radiant equalised midway through the second period with a fine finish from Nigerian defender Patrick Okoro.
And the home side then grabbed the winner with two minutes remaining when Ali converted from the spot after being upended by defender Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya to send his side to within a point of group leaders Persib Bandung of Indonesia, who drew 1-1 with MFF Cup winners Ayeyawady United in the day’s earlier Group H encounter.
“During the first half our players made some mistakes but at the break we made some changes and it was a very positive thing for the game,” said New Radiant’s caretaker coach Ahmed Hameed, whose side now have three points from two games after their 4-1 defeat by Persib in Indonesia on Matchday One.
“Our main target was to win the game and we are happy to achieve that. It was an important win for us.”
Lao FC had the better of the opening stages and got their first chance of note in the 12th minute when New Radiant custodian Alisher Akhmedov made a fine double save, first diving low to his left to stop Maitee’s 35-yard free kick before scrambling to his feet in time to stop the onrushing Frederic Pooda.
And the Laotians then took a deserved lead seven minutes before the interval after Uzbek keeper Akhmedov failed to deal with a cross from the right and when the ball eventually dropped to Maitee, his impressive scissor kick from eight yards out found the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break.
But the home side came out stronger in the second period and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 68th minute after substitute Rilwan Waheed’s corner from the left evaded everyone before being picked up by former England U-16 international David Moli on the far side and his low cross was skillfully flicked into the back of the net by Okoro.
And New Radiant then secured all three points when they were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute after Phommapanya needlessly fouled Ali in the box and he got up to coolly slot the spot kick home.
“In the first half we played very well but things were different in the second half as we made some silly mistakes after taking the lead,” said Lao FC’s English coach David Booth.
“The penalty decision was correct as it was a kick from behind. That’s why we ended up losing the game.”
Photo: WSG