Male' Maldives: Ali Ashfaq, widely known as Dhagandey, came off the bench to inspire the Maldives national football team to a 2–1 victory over Timor-Leste national football team in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, securing Maldives’ first home win in three years.
This match marked the first senior international under returning Hungarian coach István Urbányi, who previously had two spells with Maldivian football between 2009 and 2013.
Maldives national football team last celebrated a home international victory in 2023, when they edged past Pakistan national football team 1–0 at Gan Zone Stadium, a match remembered as Dhagandey’s, 40, previous appearance for the national side before injuries kept him out for an extended period
Tuesday’s dramatic 2–1 victory over Timor-Leste national football team also marked Maldives’ first international win in four years at the National Football Stadium, where their last success came in a 2022 friendly against Bangladesh national football team.
Maldives concluded their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers campaign by coming from behind to defeat Timor-Leste Group A fixture, earning their first points of the campaign, while Timor-Leste suffered a fifth defeat in six matches. Maldives and Timo Leste tied with three points, Maldives securing third place on goal difference.
The hosts controlled much of the first half and created several clear opportunities. In the 23rd minute, Ibrahim Mahudhee came close with a header that was brilliantly pushed away by Timor-Leste goalkeeper Dylan Niski, who proved decisive throughout the match.
Niski was called into action again seven minutes later, tipping away a curling effort from Naiz Hassan as Maldives continued to press for the opener.
A defensive error nearly handed Maldives another breakthrough in the 36th minute when Anizo Correia misjudged a back pass from Ricardo Rorinho, allowing Hassan through on goal, but Niski rushed out quickly to deny the forward.
Timor-Leste emerged stronger after halftime and gradually shifted the momentum. Substitute Zion Cruz threatened first, forcing a strong save from Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal just after the hour mark.
The breakthrough arrived in the 67th minute when Nilton Carvalho released João Pedro, who squared the ball across goal for Alexandro Lemos to finish clinically and give Timor-Leste the lead.
Maldives responded late and found the equaliser in the 88th minute through Mohamed Irufaan, who reacted quickest to convert at the second attempt after Niski had saved his initial close-range volley.
The comeback was completed in stoppage time when Niski fouled Dhagadeny inside the penalty area. Ali Fasir (Sentey) calmly converted from the spot in the second minute of added time to seal victory for Maldives.
The match also carried special significance for Dhagandey, as the veteran forward made his 99th appearance for the national team and played a decisive role after coming off the bench.
In the other Group A fixture, Tajikistan secured qualification for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 after drawing 1–1 with the Philippines at Hisor Central Stadium.
A first-half strike from Sheriddin Boboev proved enough for Tajikistan to finish top of the group on goal difference, with both teams ending on 14 points.
The Philippines had taken the lead in the 19th minute when Raphael Obermair saw his shot deflect off Manuchekhr Safarov and beat goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov.
Tajikistan responded before halftime, with Shervoni Mabatshoyev initiating the move that led to Boboev’s equaliser in the 40th minute, the effort again taking a deflection before crossing the line.
The hosts pushed for a winner in the second half, with Tabrez Islomov and Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov both threatening, but Tajikistan ultimately settled for the draw that confirmed qualification, while the Philippines fell short despite late pressure.
