Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Male: Maldivian side Maziya Sports & Recreation posted their first ever win in the AFC Cup after three second-half goals secured a 3-1 win over Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United in Group G on Tuesday.
Following a goalless opening 45 minutes at the National Stadium, Maziya’s Ibrahim Shiyam netted inside the first minute of the second half only for Brazilian striker Leandro Duarte de Lima to instantly respond for Ayeyawady.
Mohamed Ahmed, though, restored Maziya’s lead before Ahmed Rasheed sealed the win just after the hour mark to leave Ismail Mahefooz’s side just two points behind second place SHB Da Nang who suffered a 5-0 defeat by unbeaten table-toppers Kelantan, while Ayeyawady suffered a third defeat of the campaign.
“We had no other choice other than winning the game and I am glad that we made it. But even though we won the game, I am not satisfied with the performance of my team,” said Maziya coach Mahefooz.
“We have to concentrate for the full 90 minutes. Even in our last game, it was a game which we could have won, but due to lack of concentration we ended up with no points.
“We still have three more games in hand and that’s nine points we can earn. I believe we can win the upcoming games and I believe we can compete with the regional teams.”
Maziya came close to a breakthrough after 11 minutes as Hassan Adhuham found Eslam Mohamed Zaki Sarhan, but Ayeyawady goalkeeper Pyae Phyo Oo produced a point blank save to deny the Egyptian striker.
Maziya, though, took the lead 45 seconds into the second half as Shiyam followed up after Rasheed’s shot from inside the area had hit the post.
But Ayeyawady were back on level terms just a minute later as Brazilian striker Leandro Duarte headed home Nay Lin Tun’s cross.
Ayeyawady, though, were on level terms for just six minutes as Ahmed’s eye-catching strike from outside the area gave visiting goalkeeper Pyae Phyo Oo no chance.
And Maziya doubled their advantage two minutes after the hour mark as Shiyam crossed for Rasheed to head home.
Ayeyawady were handed a chance to set-up a tense finish as Moosa Ahmed Firaz fouled Satoshi Otomo inside the area in stoppage time, but Slovenian midfielder Dominik Bersnjak hit the post from the resulting penalty before Leandro Duarte fired the rebound wide.
“We had chances to score, but we couldn’t score,” said Ayeyawady coach Marjan Sekulovski.
“Every time we got a chance and as we couldn’t use it, our opponent scored.”