AFC CCQ: Maldives 4 - 0 Cambodia

Maldives started AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in style with a convincing 4-0 win over Cambodia. Mukhthaar Naseer, brought a nation on feet, in the very first minute of the game with a cross that ended up in the net. But it was another sparkling night for skipper Ashfaaq, who scored a hat-trick.

Maldives should have gone two up in the 27^th minute, but Ashfaaq’s close range effort missed the target. 

In the 41^st minute Ashfaaq scored Maldives’ second goal, thanks to a brilliant counter attack by Ashfaaq and Mukhthaar. Mukhthaar passed the ball to unmarked Ashfaaq inside the penalty area and his left footed shot found the empty net.

Before the break Mukhthaar provided another superb assist to Ashfaaq but this time his curling effort went over the cross bar.

The visitors looked half deadly in few occasions and after both Ashad Ali and Arif missed some half chances it was again the moment of Ashfaaq. In the 84^th minute, Shamveel headed Cambodia keeper’s poor throw to Ashfaaq’s way and he danced into the six yard box to score the third.

Four minutes later, Ashfaaq once again took advantage of a poor defensive display of the visitors to send the ball past keeper to make it 4-0 and completed his hat-trick.