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Hurriyya and Eagles relegates

Date: 07 June 2006 | Uploaded: 08:00 PM

Hurriyya players playing against Tampines in the AFC Cup this year.
"The players played really well, but we were unlucky." - Meeza

Male', MALDIVES -
Hurriyya Sports Club managed only a draw against the minnows, Eagles in today's Dhivehi League Zone 9 qualification and as a result Hurriyya relegates in to the second division. Hurriyya who played in this year's AFC Cup and Last year's Dhiraagu Dhivehi League Champions were unable to perform at their best in this year's tournament so far.

Even though Hurriyya took the lead in the first Half from a lovely strike from his right foot, they could not perform at their best in today's game. Shinan, Goal Keeper of Eagles only managed to touch his finger tips on his way to the goal, but could not stop the shot from going inside the goal.

However, Eagles managed to break the hearts of the fans of Hurriyya by scoring in the 83 rd minute from a superb shot by Siyad.

Some of the players were emotional from that time and they tried to push harder in to the goal, but weren't able to score from any of them.

After the match, almost all the players were in tears and former coach, Kuda Moossa was also on the pitch calming the players down. Former Eagles coach, Abdul Salaam Meeza who is incharge of Hurriyya now, did not even face the Maziya's players when they extended to shake hands.

In the post news match conference, Abdul Salaam Meeza said that Hurriyya players were very good, but they were unlucky

“The players played really well, but we were unlucky. Our players really worked hard and a mistake from the defence line cost us today's match”

Abdul Salaam Meeza defended the substitution of Ali Shiham

“There is nothing wrong with the substitution. I wanted more attacking players to score more goals. But the players were in a lot of pressure and they were unable to score”

Shinaz, one of the key strikers of Hurriyya were left out from the starting line up as he was having a back injury.

“I wanted to rest him for the first half and use him fresh for the second to increase our speed of the game”

Abdul Salaam Meeza who coached two clubs and both the clubs faced relegation and would be going back to his home country with a bitter experience in Maldives , but was full of praise for the skills of the players

“I came for a few months. It would be hard to judge as football in here is different from where I come from. But the players in here need more exposure and more international experience”

Abdul Salaam also said that he would be happy to come back to Maldives again if he is contacted

“Insha Allah. I would to come back and share my experience with everyone.”

Meanwhile, Eagles Assistant coach, Nimad was full of praise for the performance of his players

“It was a match winning performance. We got good chances at the end of the second half. But failed to score”

He noted that some of the players returned back from continuous negotiations and have already started to practice

“Some of the players who were missing in the previous matches have joined and played really well.”

Nimad also highlighted that the two wing players performed really well and he is happy with the performance, but was frustrated with the decision by FAM to have their next match day after tomorrow

“We cannot play a match after one day's rest. We have so many injuries. This would mean that we cannot have a side with the full strength”

‘We also complained to delay the match, but FAM replied saying the tournament committee did not agree to delay the match”

The draw would bring smiles to the rest of the teams as it decides the league table. Especially it would be great news for Maziya, New Radiant and Guraidhoo.

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