Jan 31: Bhutan made a bad start in men’s football at the 11th South Asian Games loosing first battle with Maldives by 0-1 goal in their opening match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
Maldives’ striker Ashfaq Ali scored the all-important goal for the winners in the 83rd minute with a left footer from inside the danger zone after dodging past a defender off a close pass from Naseer.
Bhutan was saved from Maldivian hit in the very 7th minute when an angular shot by Ashfaq from vantage position returned to play after hitting the cross bar.
Bhutan team also performed good to save shot from Maldivian player in the 12th minute as striker Naseer Khan’s close range shot from the danger zone off Ashfaq pass was gripped by Bhutan custodian Gurung.
Bhutan was totally off-color in the match.
