Maldives stun India to take South Asian title

Monday, 17 September 2018 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HONG KONG (Reuters): The Maldives won the South Asian Championship for only the second time in their history with a shock 2-1 victory over India in Saturday’s final in Dhaka.

Goals from Ibrahim Mahudhee and Ali Fasir put them on top against the heavily favoured Indians and Sumeet Passi’s injury-time effort proved nothing more than a consolation. Coached by German Petar Segrt, the Maldives reached the knockout phase of the competition only by virtue of a coin toss after they had finished level on points with Sri Lanka.

But, after seeing off Nepal in the last four, the Indian Ocean islanders stunned the seven-time champions to claim the trophy. They last won it in 2008.