Another game without Ashfaq

Male', MALDIVES - New Radiant Sports Club will play another crucial away game in the on going AFC Cup 2013, without their ace striker Ali Ashfaq who has been ruled out because of injury. This is the second match in a row in the AFC cup, which the striker will miss due to injuries.

According to coach Velizar Popov Ashfaq is not fit for the game even though he traveled along with the team. Popov said that the injury of Ashfaq has disappointed him and the whole team.

“Ashfaq is not fit. He is not ready. He will not play this game”.

“He will be on rest. It’s a very big problem for me and his injury is very disappointing”.

National Team Physician Ahmed Shakeeb (Doc) earlier said that Ashfaq was suffering soft tissue injury (minor) left hamstring muscle. Maldivesoccer.com understood that he had also taken treatment from Sri Lanka.

Popov said that his entire target is to win the game against Sun Hei and to qualify for the second round without waiting for the last game.

“Of course its going to be a difficult game as theoretically Sun Hei also still have chance to qualify for the second round. But if we win, game over”

“So we need to win this game because I don’t want to wait for the last game (Persibo) here”.

Blues who tops their group with nine points from four games will face, Hong Kongs Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei who will also fight for a spot from the last 16 of the 32 teams. Blues who has already beat Sun Hei at home grounds needs just a point from two games to secure a spot from the round of 16.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Sun Hei FCs Caretaker Boss Chan Fat Chi who lost the first leg against New Radiant earlier said tha this side is confident that they will beat New Radiant Sports Club at home.

“We will be much better at home and I am confident that we will win the home game”.