Guam loses a heartbreaker on home soil as Maldives nets the games lone goal in Round 2 of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Qualification and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Game 1 of Round 2 of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Qualification and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 didn’t go as hoped for Guam’s Matao team after suffering a tough 1-0 loss to Maldives Tuesday afternoon. Maldives lone goal came from Ibrahim Mahudhee in the 27th minute and Guam’s offense couldn’t materialize.
Maldives proved to be the aggressor for the games opening minutes as they quickly accumulated shots at goal in the first 15 minutes.
It took Guam 15 minutes before their first shot at goal attempt after a bad clear from the Maldives defense gave a small window to Matao forward Marcus Lopez just outside the box.
Maldives Forward Ibrahim Mahudhee scores past Guam Matao Goalkeeper Dallas Jeffrey Jaye for the only goal of the game. (Photo by Michael Blas)
The defense and the keeper quickly collapsed to erase Lopez’s attempt and the home team wouldn’t get as close to a score for the rest of the half.
In the 27th minute, a breakdown on the defensive end allowed Maldives forward Mahudhee to get free on the right side of the goal box. Mahudhee got a strong shot towards the top right corner, beating the outstretched arms of Matao keeper Dallas Jaye for the 1-0 lead.
The physical contest garnered seven yellow cards and one red card ejection on Matao’s Shawn Nicklaw, who picked up his second yellow card late in the 2nd half.
Guam looked much better offensively in the 2nd half with two of their six shots at goal coming in the first 10 minutes. A strange no-call where Matao forward Shane Malcolm was tripped inside the box caused a few seconds of stoppage as both teams reacted to the play, but no whistle was blown as Maldives hurried to clear the ball.
Guam Matao Forward Shane Malcolm gets tripped inside the box with no penalty called. (Photo by Michael Blas)
The home crowd held their breathe as Maldives nearly kicked in another goal at 47th minute after Hussan Sifaau Yoosuf got a clean look from inside the box.
A substitution in the 2nd half almost paid off for Guam with Nataniel Lee and Devan Mendiola coming in. While falling, Lee was able to deliver a tight cross to Mendiola inside the box, who’s header was caught just in time from Maldives Mohamed Faisal for the save.
Seven minutes of extra time was added, but the Maldives defense prevented any shots on goal in the elongated period to steal the first game of Round 2’s games.
Guam will suit up for another home game next week Tuesday as they play host to the Philippines at 3:30 at the GFA Training Facility.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Guam Matao falls to Maldives 1-0 in Round two of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification game. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Defender Travis Nicklaw defends against Maldives Midfielder Mohamed Naim. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Goalkeeper Dallas Jeffrey Jaye stays focused on the pitch. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Forward Ibrahim Mamudhee prepares for a corner kick early in the first half. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Forward Shane Malcolm keeps possession as Maldives Forward Hassan Naiz trails. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Haisham Hassan on the throw in midway into the first half. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Midfielder Mohammed Naim gets a warning from the referee. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Forward Dylan Naputi defends against Maldives Hamza Mohamed. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Forward Abdulla Asadhulla connects with a header in the box. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Defender Shawn Nicklaw and Maldives Forward Ibrahim Mahudhee chase down the ball. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Midfielder Mohamed Naim attempts a header for a goal. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Forward Ibrahim Mahudhee scores past Guam Matao Goalkeeper Dallas Jeffrey Jaye for the only goal of the game. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Ibrahim Mahudhee and Mohamed Naim celebrate after Mahudhee’s goal. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao falls to Maldives 1-0 in Round two of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification game. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Defender Marlon Evans maintains possession of the ball. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Hamza Mohamed grabs ahold of Guam Matao Captain Jason Cunliffe as he pursues the ball. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Goal Keeper Mohamed Faisal on a clear early in the second half of the game. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Forward Dylan Naputi looks for the open man for a potential goal. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Forward Shane Malcolm gets tripped inside the box with no penalty called. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Midfielder Mike Crowley brings the ball forward into the Maldives half of the field. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Defender Isiah Lagutang gets the ball past Maldives Ibrahim Mahudhee. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Captain Jason Cunliffe keeps the team spirit up midway through the second half of the game. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Forward Marcus Lopez and Maldives Hamza Mohamed fight for possession. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Forward Marcus Lopez prepares for a corner kick midway into the second half of the game. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Defender Nataniel Prescott brings the ball forward for his team to capitalize. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Maldives Goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal kept Guam from scoring any goals in their matchup. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Forward Marcus Lopez attempts to head the ball from a Maldives through in. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Captain Jason Cunliffe gets elbowed behind the neck from Maldives Defender Ali Samooh. (Photo by Michael Blas)
Guam Matao Captain Jason Cunliffe and Mark Chargualaf set up for a corner kick. (Photo by Michael Blas)
(AP/Carlos Osorio)
