Ashfaq requested not to take risk - Urbanyi

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Maldives to play against India in semifinal

Kathmandu, NEPAL - Maldives coach Istavan Urbanyi has said that exclusion of Ashfaq from today’s game was a decision from the whole team upon request from Ashfaq.

“Yesterday I have a short chat with the player, And Ashfaq came to me and ask me to think about if we are to take a risk. And I said if the players agree then I can make my decision based on their feedback. because it’s not my SAFF championship, it’s their SAFF championship. Definitely the final word is mine and final responsibility is mine. But the way we made this decision was team work.” Urbanyi said speaking in the post-match press conference after the last game of the group stage against Afghanistan.

He also added that he wish this success came with him and expressed happiness for winning the group.

“I am happy finishing on top of the group. Ali Ashfaq is the captain of this team and we wish this with him. It’s another question that he didn’t play for some safety reasons”

He said that it was a difficult decision to select the team without the best player of the team.

“As a coach it’s a very difficult decision to not to use your best player who had scored ten goals in this tournament and definitely he is the best and the most dangerous striker in this region”

Talking about the India team he said that it’s a very organized and difficult opponent but it doesn’t matter whom we play against in the semifinal.

“India is always a difficult opponent because they are very well organized team and very potential players. The other thing is this is a very competitive competition and now we are talking about the semifinals so doesn’t matter who you play in the semifinal, it’s going to be a tough game and 50-50 game. There will be a big fight in both matches to reach the finals.”

“I don’t won’t to talk about the opponent team. But Sunil Chettri is a very good player and a very good striker. I feel sorry for him because he is not going to play in the semifinal”

Regarding the last two consecutive semifinals against India he said this is a new game and a new story.

“This is a new game, a new chance and a new story. So it’s interesting that we have the same semifinal that two years ago.”