DHAKA: The Maldives won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship for only the second time in their history with a shock 2-1 victory over India in Saturday’s final in Dhaka. Goals from Ibrahim Mahudhee and Ali Fasir put them on top against the heavily favoured Indians and Sumeet Passi’s injury-time effort proved nothing more than a consolation. Coached by German Petar Segrt, the Maldives reached the knockout phase of the competition only by virtue of a coin toss after they had finished level on points with Sri Lanka. But, after seeing off Nepal in the last four, the Indian Ocean islanders stunned the seven-time champions to claim the trophy. They last won it in 2008. Published in Daily Times, September 16th 2018.