AFC Asian Cup
The win meant Maldives ended their campaign with their first points while Timor-Leste suffered their fifth defeat in six matches.
Timor-Leste had to absorb sustained pressure from Maldives, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Ibrahim Mahudhee’s header was brilliantly palmed away by keeper Dylan Niski.
The Southeast Asian side continued to rely on Niski’s sharp reflexes, with the shot-stopper again called into action in the 30th minute, tipping away a curling effort from Naiz Hassan.
Timor-Leste survived another nervy moment in the 36th minute when Anizo Correia misjudged Ricardo Rorinho’s back pass, allowing Hassan to pounce but his surge into the box was thwarted by the onrushing Niski.
The momentum, however, switched in favour of Timor-Leste after the break as they showed more attacking intent with substitute Zion Cruz latching onto a through ball before forcing Maldives keeper Mohamed Faisal into a fine save on the hour mark.
Another swift counter-attacking move saw Timor-Leste take the lead seven minutes later with Nilton Carvalho releasing Jao Pedro, who squared the ball for Alexandro Lemos to finish with a sublime strike.
Maldives came back fighting and levelled the tie in the 88th minute after Mohamed Irufaan converted on his second attempt after Niski saved his initial volley from close range.
The South Asian side completed the comeback in the second minute of stoppage time when Niski brought down Ali Ashfaq, with Ali Fasir converting from the spot to seal the three points.
