Interesting match says Dooley

Male’, MALDIVES – Philippines coach Thomas Dooley has said that the second semifinal match of AFC Challenge Cup 2014 between the host nation, Maldives and Philippines would be an interesting game.

“Definitely it will be a very interesting game and also it will be a difficult game for us as we have to play against the home team.” Thomas said in the pre-match press conference held at Paradise Island Resort.

When asked about the players in the squad when Philippines played against Maldives in 2009 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying he replied it doesn’t mean anything.

“It doesn’t mean anything even if it was five months ago or one year. Some players could be injured and the form may be different. So it doesn’t mean anything. We just have to concentrate during the 90 minutes and play well”

When maldivesoccer.com asked about the departure of their defender Cagara, Thomas said that it was an understanding between the club as well as the player.

“Yea, it was an understanding between the club and he has to help his team to promote for the first division and he needs to go back and sort out things with the club and he needs to be there for one more year and it’s quite understandable.”

Thomas Dooley used separate starting line-up for the three matches in the group stage and he said that he didn’t finalize the starting line-up yet.

“I actually don’t know how we are going to play against Maldives and even the players don’t know that so I couldn’t tell that to media now.”

Philippines will play against Maldives in the second semifinal of the tournament tomorrow night.