AFC Cup: Maziya loses first group stage clash against Bashundhara Kings

Maldives champion team, Maziya Sports and Recreation Club has lost its first game in the AFC Cup - South Group match on Wednesday night, against Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings.

The match played at the National Football Stadium saw Bashundhara securing a good lead in the first half and defeating Maziya with a 2 – 0 score.

Maziya players showed a good performance into the beginning of the match, with midfielder Aisam Ibrahim having lost a chance to score two minutes in.

Maziya forward Naaiz ‘Dhaadhu’ Hassan also got a chance to score, in the eighth minute, however Bashundhara's goalkeeper stopped the ball.

Bashundhara took the lead with its first score 26 minutes in, following an own goal by Maziya’s midfielder Mohamed Irfan.

The winning team extended its lead by scoring the second goal during the first half. The second goal was scored by Robson Da Silva.

Both teams showed equal performance during the second half, with Maziya’s Cornelius Stewart having directed an attack outside of the area in the 64th minute, however, he was unable to score. After that, Bashundhara’s Bishwanath Gosh got a chance to score in the 68th minute. An attempt to score by the winning team’s Raul Oscar was stopped by Maziya goalie at the 76th minute.

With this win, Bashundhara now has three points in the group along with India's ATK Mohun Bagan who won against the country's Bengaluru FC earlier on Wednesday, also with a 2-0 score.

Maziya’s second match will be against ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday night while Bashundhara Kings will go head-to-head with winner of the playoff match, Bengaluru FC the same day.

The group stage is being held across three match days on August 18, 21 and 24, with the eventual group leaders advancing to semi-finals.