Maldives created their first attempt of the match on 8^th minute of the game, Umair’s free kick from middle of the Pakistan half was timely headed by Ahmed Thariq (Tom), but the shot missed the target by inches.

On 25^th minute of the game Shamweel Ghasim (Bonda) tried a long range shot on target which was deflected to a corner kick after hitting a Pakistan defender.

Pakistan made pressure on Maldives defense line on 30^th minute of the game with the free kick taken by Adnan Faarooq. Rizwan headed the free kick inside the penalty area, where shot went over the crossbar.

Thariq missed the most open chance of the game on 41^st minute, Ismail Mohmed’s cross was matched by Thariq who was unmarked inside the box but Thariq’s shot was direct to keeper Jafar Khan. Two minutes later Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo) fired a long range shot which missed the target narrowly.

Bonda saw his long range shot flying over the crossbar on 60^th minute while 10 minutes later Umair also missed his long range shot over the crossbar.

Three minutes to full time Ashfaq got a golden chance to score a goal, Thariq gave a good through pass to Ashfaq, Ashfaq’s shot after dribbling in to the penalty area went out from near post.

Thariq’s shot from edge of the penalty area missed the targtet by in ches in the final minute of the 4 minutes of extra time.

Ali Ashfaq was declared to the man of the match.

Score remained 0 – 0 until the final whistle of the game which remained behind Nepal who is with 4 points from 2 games, Maldives lies in the second place of the Group-B with 2 points and goal difference to Pakistan who are also with 2 points from 2 games. Bangladesh who lost Nepal 1 – 0 in yesterday’s first game is in bottom of the table with 1 point in hand.

The training camp is yet to held in Thailand before heading to Dhaka on 22^nd October 2011, for the Championship and it can be confirmed within a weeks’ time.

Maldives is grouped with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Bangladesh and Nepal, in Group-A of AFC U-19 Championship 2012 Qualifiers which will be kick-off on 25th October 2011.

Thirty-nine teams participated in the Tournament were divided into two zones and separated in seven groups of six or five teams each. Each group will play one round league and top two teams from each group will make it to the tournament proper.

Third best teams from each West and East zones will complete the 16-team line up of the 2012 finals.

In the first match of the qualifying campaign Maldives will play against host Bangladesh on 25th October 2011 in Bangabandhu Stadium.

There has been brought some changes to the schedule of the tournament as Nepal has withdrawn from the tournament.

Fernando J R Chaparro handed the lead for Maziya on 21^st minute of the game, Akram’s cross was timely headed by the import player.

Right after the start of the second half Rilwan could have leveled the game for Valencia but his free shot in front of the goal was bounced back by the post.

Seeking for an equalizer, Valencia put endures pressure Maziya defenseline throughout the second half but was not able to found the net until Ahmed Rasheed extend Maziya’s lead to 2 – 0 on 81^st minute.

Three minutes later Hansley A.V Awilo gave some hope Valencia after matching with Rilwan’s assist and scoring the only goal for Valencia.

Score remained 2 – 1 in favor of Maziya in full time of play and it ended the season (2011) for Valencia with nothing positive to right on their history.

In FA Cup 2011 Quarter final, Victory SC will come against second division outfit ‘Club Riverside’ tomorrow (Sunday) in National Stadium at 21:00pm.

A lot of fingers has been pointed at the news of the sudden resignation of Fayyaz. In an interview given to MNBC One just after the resignation, Fayyaz said that the reason for his resignation was due to his inability to vote without getting the proper information regarding New Radient and VB’s semi-final issue.

He also added that the other reason was that some of the other members of the appeal committee has denied that Fayyaz be given more information regarding the issue at hand.

FAM appointed Ali Zaki and Arif Ahmed Naseer in place of Fayyaz after his resignation.

Braving strong tides, swells and the unremitting tropical heat, Batten became the first person in the world to row solo across the famous channel. She used a FISA coastal single sculling boat, 6m long, 78cm wide, which weighs just 35kg, to ensure maximum speed during her journey.

Batten attempted the Zero Degree feat in order to raise the profile of rowing in the Maldives as well as highlight the threats posed to the island paradise from climate change and rising sea levels.

“It was a fantastic experience,” Batten said Wednesday morning. “I had a wonderful reception in Fuahmulah, where around 500 local people were waiting on the beach to welcome me with garlands of flowers and traditional music.”

Batten said the most difficult part of the crossing was navigation, particularly at night. “We set off at around 2am on Tuesday and the only light came from the full moon.”

Batten said the weather held up for most of the journey and the water was “calm and silky clear. But just before the equator, at around dawn, the wind picked up and there was a lot of swell and chop.”

Batten added that fate played a part in her successful crossing: “We were surrounded by terrific thunderstorms – it was an amazing light and sound show. Fortunately, none of the thunderstorms came too close.”

Batten said she was accompanied by school of dolphins during one part of her journey. “They swam near the boat but were a little wary. They didn’t recognize the rowboat.”

Rowing is a Maldivian tradition dating back thousands of years but the art is dying out due to the introduction of motor boats. Batten said she hoped her Zero Degree Channel crossing would “inspire young people to take up rowing as a sport to ensure these ancient skills are not lost.”
President Mohamed Nasheed said on Wednesday: “I am delighted that Guin has become the first person to row solo across the Zero Degree Channel. I hope her efforts will be a catalyst for the revival of rowing in the Maldives.”

The Zero Degree Channel (‘Addoo Kandu’ in Dhivehi) cuts the equator between the Huvadhoo Atoll and the Fuahmulah Island in the south of the Maldives.

Guin Batten, a British national, is a world renowned rower who won an Olympic silver medal at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and in 2003 broke the world record for crossing the English Channel.

On their arrival at Male International Airport they were met by officials of the Football Association and Airports Authority and they were ushered to the VVIP Lounge where their families welcomed them.

The National Team travelled to Male in a colourfully decorated vessel from the Airport. On arrival at the Official Jetty they were first greeted by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, his wife and Political Adviser of the President Hassan Afeef, Honorary Chairman of Maldives Olympic Committee Mohamed Zahir Naseer and Chairman of the Committee Ibrahim Ismail, Chairman of the Football Association Ali Azim and senior officials of the Sports Ministry.The large crowd of supporters gathered in the Republic Park were cheering and waving the national team and went on expressing their love and admiration to the team. You are our heroes, You have done us proud. Your performance and courage is remarkable. For us you have won the game. You are our champions. Its great, Its as good as bringing back the championship.

The players were overwhelmed by the rousing welcome and cheers they were receiving from all sides, from everyone, men and women and children, They shook hands with as many in the mammoth crowd before boarding the vehicle which took them in the main streets also thronged with cheering supporters to the Ummeedhu Park in Lonuziyaaraiykolhu which was also packed with smiling and cheering supporters. Live bands were playing SAAF championship theme song and other welcoming songs dedicated to the National Team.

The country was in festive mood since Sunday to celebrate the outstanding performance of the Maldives National Team.

Applications to join the season have been opened yesterday. The last date to submit application is on 25 October.

A lot of clubs participate in 3rd division football matches every year but for this year, the newly formed MNDF football club has been practicing way in advance under the coaching of Ihsaan Abdul Ghanee.

The winner and runner up of this division will get the opportunity to participate in the 2nd division football match.

Earlier, FAM has scheduled the first of the two semifinal matches to be played on 19 September, Saturday night and the second match on 20 September, Sunday night. However, as Sunday, 20 September may be Fithur Eid, FAM has decided to reschedule the matches.

In this regard, the first of the two semifinal matches, between Club Valencia and VB Sports Club is to be played on 18 September, Friday night. The match is scheduled to kick off at 2030 hours.

The second semifinal match between New Radiant Sports Club and Victory will be played on Saturday night, 19 September and is scheduled to kick off at 2030 hours.

VB reached the semifinals after defeating Kalhaidhoo Youth Association at the quarter finals and Valencia reached the semifinals after defeating Mazia.

New Radiant reached semifinals by defeating Thimarafushi Youth Club at the quarter finals and Victory secured their position at the semifinals by defeating AYL.

VB will come out as defending champions while New Radiant will be playing as the club which has won the FA cup most number of times.

VB CEO Gahthan Ali informed that Andy is playing on, from the middle of this year’s season, with severe injury and that in order to fully recover, Andy needs to under go surgery. Even though doctor has allowed Andy to continue play, the doctor insists that a knee surgery would be required for Andyto fully recover, Gahthan says.

“We have decided to have knee surgery done after the end of the season, he can play without the surgery but to fully recover he needs the surgery done” Gahthan said.

Andy who showed a brilliance performance while he was with Club Valencia has been unable to show his true form lately.

After Andy suffered injuries, two other VB players have also met the same fate. The other VB players who require medical attention are Mohamed Hussain (Ointtey) and Mohamed Shaffaz (Sappey).