Maldives U23 moves closer to confirm a spot in the finals

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Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives has moved one step closer to confirming a spot in the finals of the ongoing Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa International Football Tournament by beating Pakistan 1 - 0. The only goal of the match was scored by Imaaz.

Maldives won the opening game against Sri Lanka by 3 – 0 and Pakistan managed to beat Bangladesh 1 – 0 in their opening game. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka’s match will be played later today.

Speaking to maldivesoccer.com after the match national team coach Urbanyi said that he was pleased with the performance of the team.

“We played well in the first half. They are physically much stronger team than us and they tried to use that advantage in the second half. It was more of a physical game in the second half. They tried to put in crosses. Our goal keeper and defenders kept the tactical discipline”

“All the other teams are physically better than us. We only have the edge in skills and tactical discipline. That’s some area we have been lacking.”

“We also need improvement in reading the game. We have to educate them on that area"

“The boys have a great potential to be in the national senior team. Yaameen played very well. He has the ability to play in the first eleven of the senior team. Imaz also has the potential. I expect around 3 – 4 players to be in the senior team. Our senior team’s average age is 26 which is good”

“Today our goal keeper also played well. But we don’t have a goal keeper who could replace Imran.

That’s some area where we have to really focus if we want to perform well at International level”

The matches are played at newly constructed Jayathilake Stadium, Nawalapitiya in Kandy. Maldives will play against Bangladesh on 7th December 2012.