KARACHI, Dec 11: A string of gilt-edged chances missed by goal-shy Pakistan resulted in a 0-0 draw that helped the Maldives become Group ‘A’ champions on better goal average at SAFF championship on Sunday. Home side virtually performed the way it did against Sri Lanka and then Afghanistan as they came out in the first half with blistering attacks only to lose the pace and bite in the second session at People’s Sports Complex.

“We were just trying to score goals to finish as group champions but we failed. I have just taken over the charge. Things will take time to settle down. I am now looking for semifinals no matter who the opponents are. Zesh is the best defender we have,” Pakistan coach Salman Ahmed Sharida told a post-match press conference.

However, Maldives coach Stoykov Iordan said: “We did not want to take risks, while Pakistan took risks. We wanted to avoid injuries. That’s why we did not play aggressive.”

Maldives, who mauled Afghanistan 9-1 in the opener, were shocked when Pakistan pinned the visitors under a fourth-minute onslaught, Mohammad Naveed Akram challenging the Maldives goalkeeper Imran Mohamed with a long, dangerous ball that went across the face of the goal.

Mohammad Essa, the star Pakistan striker, cleverly set up Adeel who was guilty of missing the target from close as his drive crossed the back-line off Imran Mohamed legs in the 13th minute.

Seconds later, Adeel was again tormenting Maldives defences as he dodged past two defenders before cutting in left end releasing a back pass that Essa failed to collect.

Abdul Aziz made deep inroads twice but was restricted by some tight marking by the Maldives defenders. Essa threatened the Indian Ocean islanders and wasted the chance after his drive trickled down the left.

Like in the previous matches, inspiring Fulham defender Zesh Rehman prowled into the opposition’s goal area to poach a goal on corners or free kicks. Rehman tried through head but failed to make contact with a curling Imran Niazi free kick in the 29th minute.

It was in the 38th minute that Maldives made a real attempt through Thariq Ahmed whose long-range drive sailed over the crossbar.

The match saw couple of entertaining duels between statuesque Rehman and Ashfaq Ali of Maldives who tumbled over the British-born Pakistani near back-line, both struggling for possession in the 38th minute.

Once the first half was over, Pakistan lost the vigour after breather, although they kept on pressing for the elusive goal that never came.

Rehman showed his class when he timely cleared the ball to safety following a Gasim Shamveel drive that might have been dangerous in the 53rd minute. With Maldives slighting putting pressure on Pakistan, Rehman was again on alert when he averted the danger with a header on an Umer Ali effort in the 60th minute.

Pakistan goalkeeper Jaffar Khan truly deserved kudos for he produced a brilliant save off a rasping along-the-carpet 18-yard opportunist drive by Ahmed in the 64th minute.

Substitute Mohammad Imran of Pakistan was yellow carded for rough tackle on Jameel Mohamed in the 67th minute, while Imran Niazi’s attempt went through defender’s leg but missed the target.

Referee Afsharian Khodadad of Iran had to come near touchline to ask Maldives coach Iordan, who was shouting orders while standing, to sit on the bench three minute before time.

Earlier, in the first upset of the championship, underdogs Afghanistan secured their first-ever victory in the event since their inclusion in 2003, with a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka.

Although the results did not make much of a difference as both sides were out of contention, the triumph gave the Afghans much-needed boost.

Hafizullah Qadami opened the scoring on a volley kick in the 35th minute before Abdul Maroof Gullestani made it 2-0 in the 41st minute.

Sri Lanka got their consolation through a G.P.C Karunaratne lob that sailed over Afghan goalkeeper Shamsuddin Amiri five minutes from time.

Monday’s fixtures: Nepal v Bhutan at 3.15pm; Bangladesh v India at 6.00pm.

Points table Group ‘A’ (team, played, won, drawn, lot, goals for, goals against, points):

Maldives 3 2 1 0 11 1 7

Pakistan 3 2 1 0 2 0 7

Afghanistan 3 1 0 2 3 11 3

Sri Lanka 3 0 0 3 1 5 0