It’s just a beginning says Ricki

Dec 25, 2015 - 12:38:42 |
National team coach Ricki Herbert. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)

Trivandrum, INDIA – Maldives national team coach Ricki Herbert has said that things will be different in the upcoming games of SAFF Suzuki Cup after the win against Bhutan by 3-1 today.

“I see so many exciting things today and the young boy who is next to me is constantly going for 90 minutes and making it difficult to the defenders. I am trying to change the style of play with young players and I am sure things will be much better in the upcoming games. It’s just a beginning.” Former New Zealand coach said after the match against Bhutan.

When asked about the number of missed chances he replied that he is happy with the way the team played.

“Out of thirteen or fourteen chances we scored three goals but I am happy with the way we played. This is international football and we need big challenges. And I am pleased with the three points we got in this match.”

“I like the reaction of the players and I am looking forward and I want big challenges for the team. I am sure we can get those challenges in this tournament and we are very pleased with that.” Ricki added.

Maldives will play against Bangladesh on Saturday and the last game of the group stage is on Monday against defending champions Afghanistan.

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Fan on Dec 25
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Shocking defensive display. Any other team would have opened up our goal as early as 3rd minute. Shafiu was so poor he was turned inside out not less than five occasions. I thought when shafiu had made some mistakes against Hong Kong we were competing too high a level and they were overworked and tired. But from this display you cannot say he is in a form to merit a place in the starting lineup. We cannot compete against Bangladesh and Afghanistan with such gaping hole in the defence . Also the disconnect between holding midfielders and defenders. I don’t know whether it was the poor quality of pitch or Bakaa’s rusty footwork, he appears sort of match fitness, his passing under-hit, his usual bravery in challenges was replaced by a player stalked by hesitation. He was lost in the crowd. As for Imran’s fitness he is far from match sharpness. He did not rush off the goal when required and he did rush off when not necessary. All in all our team is not in the best form. It remain to be seen how our defence cope up the physicality of Afghanistan and the strength of Bangladesh attacks.

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