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like Assad's captaincy : Ali Umar
29 June 2005
Msoccer: There is a lot of difference
in how you play compared to the previous year? What happened?
It all depends on the club. Individual talent will be there.
But if the players in the club do not play well, it will not
be noticed. Now Valencia’s combination is much better
and I’m improving compared to previous year.
Msoccer:
Now a days you play on the right
side, instead of playing midfield. Do you like that position?
Nope. It all depends on the coach. But I like to play
in the middle.
Msoccer:
In national team you play as a defending midfielder?
I personally don’t like the position. But In national
team, if everyone wants to play where ever they want. It would
be a bad idea.
Msoccer: Which
combination do you think you would like to play in the striking
department?
I think it would be with Ali shiham and Ali Ashfaaq
Msoccer: Which
defender do you think is the best defender and do you feel difficult
to play against him?
There is not such defender in Maldives which is difficult at
this time. But before it was difficult to play against Ismail
Anil
Msoccer: Why
do you always play for jersey no 10?
First I played in Youth for Jersey no: 14 and I loved that no.
but a senior player came and the number was given to him and
I got 10. after that, when I went to Valencia I got no 10 again
and in National team I got the same no as well.
Msoccer: Why
don’t you play as a professional player instead of semi-professional?
I joined customs before I played for a club, so just doing the
job. It would be great if the players adapt to a professional
football. But the situation in Maldives does not opt for it.
Msoccer: Is
there any player who is playing outstandingly in this season?
yeah, Fazeel (Oppo) and Shifan is playing well.
Msoccer: Will
you go abroad if you get a chance?
Not possible, but if I get a chance from a good club I might
go!
Msoccer:
Suppose you got a chance like what Ashfaaq got. Would you accept
it?
No. I cannot. As I have a kid and a wife. Ashfaaq and Fazeel
(Oppo) can go but not me.
Msoccer: What’s
the best moment in your football career?
1999 FA Cup Final when I scored the Golden Goal for Valencia.
Msoccer: You
were a fan of New Radiant before. Still are you a fan of them?
Nope. I am not so happy with them.
Msoccer: Is
there a problem with them?
No, not a problem. It is that I don’t like them now.
Msoccer: Do
you think Assad’s captaincy is good?
yeah, that’s why he is the captain of the National Team
as well. I have no problem of him being the captain.
Msoccer: Which
Department do you think Valencia needs more improvement?
I think midfield. In recent years Valencia’s Midfield
has been the problem. There is not a good player for that position.
Msoccer: Habeeb’s
performance has decreased a lot in this year. What do you think?
yeah it might be because in victory he was free, he could play
where ever he pleased. But in Valencia he had to play for a
fixed position. That might be a reason.
Msoccer:
Why do you think Valencia has performed low for the lower teams?
It is all about pressure. Players take it lightly and if the
team does not score in the first twenty minutes the pressure
would be the same as playing with the top teams. Your actual
skill will be shown when you play against a lower team. Because
than only we would know how much a player has developed mentally
for the games.
Msoccer: Why
did you think Valencia did not have success in AFC Cup?
We got a tough draw and we did not get the first matches to
play at home. And when we lost the home matches the players
morale decreased. But for New Radiant they got the home matches
first and they performed well in those. The player’s confidence
boosted because of it. And they prepared for the tournament
very well.
Msoccer: Some
matches are played in the flood lights. Do you feel it easy
to play?
It is a very big problem actually. It is very difficult to play.
Players get dehydrated when we play in the evening. But now
what happens is that we play the whole tournament in the evening
and play the final in the night. It is very difficult to adapt
to it. In most of the countries they play at night. So I guess
we can follow that.
Msoccer: Is
there any communication with FAM and players?
yeah, National team players they have contact. But I don’t
think they contact other players
Msoccer:
There are rumors that FAM is favourable to a particular team.
What do you think?
I don’t think they would. And if they do, everyone would
know it.
Msoccer: Do
you think Referees have changed in any aspect?
No, They have not. The same 5 referees have been refereeing
all the time. And nothing has been done so far to bring new
referees. I guess we can bring new faces in to it just like
any other field. And plus it is not enough if the referees are
sent to a tournament in atolls. That’s not enough. They
should get more opportunity.
Msoccer: Who
do you think will win the Confederations Cup?
Brazil
Msoccer:
If you are given to choose the best five players in Maldives
who will you choose?
Imran, Assadh, Sobah, Fazeel (Oppo) and Ashfaaq.
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