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Oppo : Yes, I asked Ali Umar and Dhagey to sign
New Radiant

19 May 2006 | Uploaded: 1:10 pm

(L-R) Oppo, Ali Umar and Ashfaag at Haveeru Sports Awards ceremony, early this year.
"...But I do also go out with my friends. I don't prefer to be outside in the public all the time. " - Oppo

Male', Maldives - It was believed that New Radiant failed couple of times in turning Ali Umar and Ali Ashfaag (Dhagey) to their side. But the image changed before this year's season begins, as they finally managed to get the sign of these two. There were some rumours that New Radiant striker and last year's best player of Maldives had some influence in doing this favour to the blues.

Here is our latest interview with Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo), where he answered our questions in a friendly environment and shared some of his greatest joys and chestfalls in football career. One more thing, how come he got the nick name "Oppo"? well, frankly speaking I won't tell you, but he will tell you. Go ahead!

MS: Do you think you are playing at the same level as last year?

Oppo: Not at the same level I guess, but I am trying my level best to perform at that level. But I am quite happy with my performance.

MS: What do you think of the loss in AFC Cup?

Oppo: The only difference is I guess the defensive errors. Boykov was really missed from the defense line.

MS: What about the Perlis game? Do you think the score justifies your play?

Oppo: No. We had some good chances. The thing was it was quite difficult for us to play in the rain. For them it was quite easy. For example, I got a very open chance, but the shot I made rolled and went wide from the post. If we could have scored from those chances it might have been a different ball game.

MS: How did you start your carreer?

Oppo: It all started when I was in school. In Majeedhiyya we played the interschool tournament and then later I played for the National Team. After finishing school I joined New Lagoons, later IFC. After IFC now I am in New Radiant.

MS: There are rumours that Ali Umar and Dhagey's decision to move to New Radiant was highly influenced by you? Is it true?

Oppo: Yeah. I asked Ali Umar for how much he wants to play for New Radiant. Then he asked me to tell a price and I told the management. So there is a high influence of mine in their signings.

MS: People still complain about your performance in the National Team during SAFF Championship? Why?

Oppo: It was a difficult position for me to play holding in the midfield line. I always had the tendency to run with the ball, but I couldn't. So people would definitely notice that point.

MS: How about your injury? Is it progressing?

Oppo: Yeah! It is progressing. Now I can run and jog. But still I cannot hit from the right foot. I am trying to play in the Valencia game. But not so sure!

MS: Who is your best coach so far?

Oppo: Slovakia's Joseph. He is a real good trainer. Asks us to move the ball and create space.

MS: How about the locals? Any good one?

Oppo: Niya can be regarded as the best now!

MS: Why don't we see you so often in the public like other football players?

Oppo: That's how I live. But I do also go out with my friends. I don't prefer to be outside in the public all the time.

MS: There were rumors that you would go to Valencia, but you changed in the last minute!

Oppo: Yeah! Valencia also offered a good salary. But I wanted to stay in new radiant when I considered the other factors.

MS: Is it because of the management?

Oppo: It is also there. They are the best management around.

MS: Is it difficult to work(job) and play football?

Oppo: At first it was very difficult. But now I am used to it. After the match or practice sometimes we have to change the shoes and take a shower and go to office. So for some people it might be very difficult.

MS: What's your best and worst moment of football?

Oppo: Both came in one tournament. The best moment is the late goal in the Golden Jubilee( against Bangladesh) and the worst moment is the defeat in that tournament in the finals against Sri Lanka.

MS: Who is the best referee in Maldives for you?

Oppo: Actually there are none. But Riyaz can be regarded as a good referee compared to all the others. But some times he also gets out of control.

MS: Who is your best player in the foreign leagues?

Oppo: There are actually many. Out of them, Ronaldinho, Zidane and although Ronaldo have grown plump he is also a good player.

MS: Was it a very hard decision for you to join New from IFC?

Oppo: It was a very easy decision as there were a lot of problems in the club.

MS: In your opinion which defender is the most difficult to beat?

Oppo: Sobah is a very difficult defender to beat. Adam can also be graded as one of the most difficult. When I was in IFC, he played for Kelaa and he marked me completely and in that match I could not score a single goal. To my luck both of them are in our side. So I don't have to work to beat them. (With a laugh)

MS: Do you think clubs should give incentives based on the performance?

Oppo: Yes they should and New Radiant some times give incentives to the whole team.

MS: Do you support any local team?

Oppo: Nope. Not at this time. But when I started to play in Majeedhiyya I supported Valencia and then later Huraa. But after I started to play in the club level I don't support any club.

MS: Will you sign another club in the upcoming season?

Oppo: I don't think so. I prefer to stay in New Radiant.

MS: To end the interview, just want to ask how did you get the nick ‘Oppo'?

Oppo: Well, I also really don't know. I even asked my family members. But they also never knew it. When I was small, it seems I repeat that word a lot. So the people who lived with me they started to say it. When kids are small, the first few words they speak they usually repeat. Oppo is a word that I repeated like that. (Started laughing)

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