Pakistan fumble spot-kick; draw 0-0 with Maldives [PICS]

9 Nov : Fourth times SAF Games gold medalist Pakistani drew Maldives 0-0 in 16th Asian Games Football Tournament. Pakistan-Maldives clash was the ninth in track record and the second in U23 football event. Both the teams faced each other in Group-F at the Huangpu Sports Center, Guangzhou on Tuesday. Since 2002 Busan Games, football at the Asian Games changed to age-limit and now it is a “U23 + 3 overage” tournament

Pakistan were first to settle down and WAPDA midfielder Muhammad Ahmad makes 3rd minute long range shot on target, Maldivian keeper Imran Mohamed saves the ball. Eight minutes later, Umair of Maldives gives a good ball to Nafiu but he cannot control the ball.

The 12th minute saw Mahmood Khan of KRL makes another shot on target as Pakistan was playing well in counter attacks. KRL’s another stalwart Muhammad Rizwan Asif makes another good shot on target. The 21st minute saw Umair’s free kick goes straight to the keeper

A minute later, superb save from Imran, Rizwan Asif gives a good ball to KRL’s Chaman born striker Kaleemullah and he makes a good header on target.Corner kick to Pakistan in 23rd minute, This time too Imran cleared the corner kick from the danger zone. Corner kick forced by Maldives, Muaz’s header from the corner was well blocked by keeper. And in the 39th minute, Maldives’striker Ashfaq’s long range shot goes over the bar.

Another dangerous play from Pakistan in 42nd minute. Mahmood’s header goes straight to the keeper. It was 0-0 at interval.

Five minutes after re start, Kaleemullah missed a good chance to score and in the 52nd minute Corner kick to Maldives, Pakistani players cleared the corner kick from Niyaz. Four minutes later, Asif’s stunning shot on target was well saved by keeper Imran. In the 65th minute, Dhagey makes a long range shot but goes wide. Dhagey penetrated the defence line of Pakistan again in the 66th minute and makes a superb shot but keeper saves that. Seven minutes later, Ashfag makes another good shot on target but this time too keeper saves the ball.In the 75th minute, Dhagey gives a good ball to Niyaz but his shot goes over the bar. Good play from Maldives now.

Atif Bashir’s header goes wide in the 84th minute. Another dangerous play from Pakistan.The 84th minute provided Pakistan penalty-kick when Ahmed Abdulla fouls on a Pakistani player inside the area. But to dejection of Akhtar Mohiuddin, Graham Roberts, Asghar Khan Anjum and Hassan Baloch, keeper Imran dived full-length to save a weak penalty from already under-fire KRL defender Samar Ishaq from Faisalabad.