PDRM lifts trophy with Ashgaq hat-trick

PDRM lift the trophy of People’s Cup after a grueling final Wednesday night in which spectators saw Maziya come behind to level the score 3-3 at the end of fulltime, only to lose out when PDRM scored two more goals to their one during extra time in the match that ended 5-4.

Maldivian national team captain Ali Ashfaq scored a hat-trick for the Malaysian side while the other two PDRM goals came from former Mali national team player Dramane Traore – who was awarded best player of the tournament.

PDRM players Ashfaq and Traore struck two shots on target to penetrate Maziya defense during the first half of the match, the opening goal coming at the third attempt, from Traore. His shot, coming from outside the area at the 11^th minute of the match struck the lower corner of the net.

Maziyan striker Pablo Rodriguez wasted a golden opportunity to level the score moments later when his strike flew over the goalpost.

Next came Ashfaq’s first goal of the tournament when he snatched the ball from young Maziya defender Amdhan Ali (Andy), ran into the area and struck the low corner of the net.

The second half opened with two dangerous strikes by Ashfaq and Traore, both stopped by Maziya keeper Imran Mohamed from the goal line.

Ashfaq’s second and PDRM’s third goal came on the 50^th minute when he swerved away from Maziya player Farhad Ismail, burst into the area and struck true.

PDRM toning down their attacks and withdrawing to the defense resulted in Maziya increasing their attacks.

Hope was renewed for the Maziya side on the 72^nd minute when Mohamed Irufan headed in a goal, making the score 3-1.

The second Maziya goal came in a penalty scored by their capatain Asadhulla Abdulla after a PDRM player was booked for a foul on Maziya stricker Pablo Rodriguez.

The fruit of the endless stream of attacks by the Maziya side was reaped in the 90^th minute when substitute Ahmed Imaz (Akko) struck a goal resulting in the score being tied at 3-3 by end of fulltime.

Maziya team was thrown into turmoil in the first half of extra time when their substitute Mohamed Saif was booked his second yellow card of the night for a foul on Ashfaq, resulting in Maziya having to play one man short.

Troare scored a few minutes later, and PDRM took the lead again.

The lead was further widened when Ashfaq scored his hat-trick, snatching the ball away from Maziya player Ahmed Nashid (Nattey), made a run inside the area and scored – resulting in the score line reading 5-3.

Though Maziya striker Pablo’s score later closed the gap between the two clubs, the match ended 5-4 making PDRM the champions of People’s Cup 2015.

It was Ashfaq – described by PDRM coach as ‘the Messi of PDRM” who lifted the trophy, handed over to him by chairman of the tournament, tourism minister Ahmed Adheeb.

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