| Stoikov's concern: Key players to miss the fight
26 September 2005
Ahmed Thoriq (13) playing against Al Husein in Jordan: Thoriq was send off
in the 51st minute (SWG)
Male', MALDIVES - New Radiant coach Stoikov expressed his biggest concern while facing Jordan's best club Al Faisaly on Wednesday here in Male'. The Bulgarian master mind said to Maldivesoccer that he feels sad to keep aside some key figures due to suspension when facing Jordan's giant.
"It will be a big fight. My best players are out and the rest of the players should try hard to replace them. Definitely it will be very hard to replace them. But it should be done because we have no other choice." He said.
When asked about the tactics and the formations in the match he said that he cannot disclose the information yet as he has not finalised it.
New radiant has been analysing Al-faisely and started to find the loop holes in their game
" This morning I've watched the video of Al Faisaly's last game played in singapore. They are much stronger team in all divisions and it will be more harder to win against them. They have a strong passing game unlike Al-Hussein"
Al Hussein played long balls and crossed from the wings but had no success in the matches played in both in Irbid and in Male'.
When asked about the chance of wining the game, Stoikov said that anything is possible in football and he believes that they also have a chance to win the game.
"They have the same level skills so I think it will be an even game and I hope we will win the game if we utilise the chances"
Stoikov urged the supporters to cheer for the team and to support the team in anyway they can.
"I want all the people in the country to cheer New Radiant, as we are not only representing "New Radiant" but we are also representing the country as a whole. The supporters should support not only with New Radiant flags but with national flags as well."
He also thanked the president for his wishes after they confirmed semi final.
"I am very pleased that the president called and we will try our level best to perform better in the next match as well" He said concluding the interview.
Stoikov's criticise AFC: Haveeru daily
Maldives daily news Haveeru stated that New Radiant coach stoikov criticise Asian Football Confederation for appointing Arab Referees for their semi final clash against Al Faisaly of Jordan.
Haveeru daily quoted the disappointed coach saying that this is a trick by AFC.
" They (AFC) don't want New Radiant to win in the semi final. May be Jordan forced AFC to keep Arab Officials then it will be an advantage for them" Stoikov said to Haveeru.
" May be this is a plane by Hammam ( AFC president ). He is very close to Jordan. But we will try to win the game eventhough we have to face 14 players " He said.
It is also believed that ESPN too didnt give much attention to the success New Radiant has gained so far in this tournament. In ESPN's sports centre Asia, they wasted most of the time talking about the heavy defeats gained by Singapore's Tampines Rovers and Home United.
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