AFC CUP 2013 - KELANTAN VS MAZIYA (MALDIVE)

Kelantan looked eager to start the match on the right foot as they pressured Maziya’s defence early on. Both Shakir Shaari and Dimitri Petratos didn’t wait long to test Maziya’s goalkeeper, Imran Mohamed, but their shots were safely parried away.

Maziya on the other hand did trigger several counter attacks via their captain, Ahmed Rasheed. Moments later, Abdulla Asadhulla shocked the Red Warriors defence when he struck a long shot catching Khairul Fahmi off guard. But the shot went high and wide.

Havoc occured in Maziya’s penalty box when Dickson's quick foot managed to create the chance for Petratos to strike, but his shot was well blocked by the defence, before Zairo's follow up went well wide.

The second half started in the same manner as the first period without any substitutions from both teams. Kelantan dominated most of the possession compared to Maziya who spent most of the time defending in their own half.


On the 62nd minute, Shakir‘s mistake stunned the home crowd as Hassan Adhuham capitalised with an easy finish. Ismail Easa beautifully lobbed the ball over the Kelantan defence opening a chance for Hassan to tap the ball in past Khairul Fahmi.

Shocked by the goal, Kelantan made two quicks subtitutions introducing their captain, Badhri Radzi and Indra Putra Mahyuddin to strenghthen their attack. Badhri didn’t wait long to mark his presence when he instantenously created a chance for Faiz Subri to strike, but it was well-saved by Imran.

Piya turned hero for the home crowd when he struck a beautiful shot for Kelantan to level the score. A through ball by Petratos was quickly snapped by Badhri to shoot past the impressive Imran.

Dickson Nwakaeme had his chance to score when he headed Badhri’s cross but was yet again denied by the quick reactions of the goalkeeper.

Towards the end of the match, Haris Safwan almost sent the crowd wild but his weak follow-up shot meant that Kelantan had to be contented with a draw.

It was a suprising result for many as minnows Maziya managed to hold the Malaysian champions to a draw. A late substition by Bojan to introduce Badhri Radzi did affect the home team's gameplay but it was too late for them to grab a much needed home win.