Dhaka, Dec 9 (Inditop.com) A 10-man India under-23 side Wednesday lost their last group match against holders Maldives here 0-2 and will now face hosts Bangladesh in the semi-final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup.
Goals from Ahmed Thoriq (15th) and Fazeel Ibrahim (83rd) at the Bangabandhu Stadium helped the Maldives finish the group as toppers and they will take on Sri Lanka in the other semi-final.
India rested some of their key players, including goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya and skipper Sushil Singh.
The Maldives were undoubtedly the better team and took the lead in the 15th minute as the Indian defence was caught off-guard. Thoriq slammed in a clever pass from Ali Ashfaq, who did much of the leg-work by cutting past defenders Ravinder Singh and Ravanan to set-up Thoriq.
India were reduced to 10 men at the hour mark when striker Balwant Singh was given marching orders after being booked for the second time due to an awkward dive.
The Maldives stepped on the gas in the last 10 minutes and doubled the lead through Ibrahim with seven minutes left from the final whistle. Ibrahim slotted in from an excellent flag-kick by Ashfaq as the Indian defence was caught napping once again.
rounak