Pakistan defeated the Maldives 3-0 in their second Group B match of the SAFF Championship at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday, scoring all three goals in the first half.
McKeal Aroon Abdullah opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fourth minute after a Maldives defender brought him down inside the box. Forward Najeebullah Bettani then struck twice, first finishing a cross from Junaid Ahmed Shah and later completing his brace with a powerful individual effort from the right flank.
The second half remained goalless as Pakistan comfortably held their lead. The result gives Pakistan three points and a goal difference of +2, placing them ahead of India on goal difference after both teams finished with the same points from their two matches.
Pakistan had opened the tournament with a 3-2 loss to India. The Maldives, missing several players through injury, now face India on 11 November. Only a substantial victory for the Maldives would overtake Pakistan on goal difference; otherwise Pakistan and India are expected to advance to the semi-finals.
The SAFF Championship runs until 17 November in Bangladesh, with the top two teams from each group progressing.
