| National team players are in high spirit says Ihsaan
03 December 2005
Uploaded: 03.12.2005, 11:00 AM
Male' Maldives - Maldives National team will leave Bangkok for their 'mission SAFF Championship' today at 1530hrs Bangkok time (1330hrs Maldivian time). The national team will arrive Karachi with a very high spirit says Ihsaan Abdul Ghanee – one of the three assistant coaches assigned by the Football Association of Maldives.
'We are in a very high spirit. Everyone is looking forward for a good competition. The good thing is that we don't have any injuries and everyone is on top form' He said.
Meanwhile, Ihsaan refused to talk about the game plan and accepted that the national team did not know much about Afghanistan football team which is lead by German coach Klaus Staerk.
'We do not know much about them. We are trying to organize the game play such that we could adjust to what ever way they will play' said Ihsaan.
Afghanistan team had training program in Germany late October. The German coach agrees that they don't have much trained players and it is difficult to maintain their nutrition.
' we have technical difficulties both in training and health' said the German coach.
Afghanistan who played in SAFF Championship 2003 failed to score a single goal.
Ihsaan also mentioned that the current national team is the best he has seen so far in his 5 year career as an assistant coach of national team.
'I have been an assistant coach for 5 years now. This is the best team I have seen so far. Their confidence is very high and they are playing in top form. The teamwork is very good. Under the coach, he has tried a lot to build up a confident team'
He also mentioned that there might be change of the tactics compared to the previous matches. Maldives National team have been playing with only defenders and strikers in there last national games. But Ihsaan said it might not be the case this time, giving a hint that they might go for an attacking game.
'There will be a lot of changes this time. Coach has been trying various options. I cannot say anything regarding the formation and the players right now'
Ihsaan also said that the national team players urge the students who are currently in Pakistan to cheer for the national team.
'we want the students to back the team and to support us during the match. We want the voice of Maldives to be heard in the stadium though we are far from the nation. We want them to be back the team and the players really want it'
Ihsaan also said that the fans in Maldives to pray and to be behind the national team.
'We came here on a mission. We will fulfill it in our maximum capability and we hope for a good win' He said.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
GROUP A : Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan
GROUP B : Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal
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