Maldives deserve to win says Urbanyi

Dec 11, 2012 - 01:23:05 | Hussain Sinan
Maldives national team coach Urbanyi lifts the trophy in the celebrations when the team arrived in Male' (MSPhoto: Hussain Sinan)

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Male’, MALDIVES – In an exclusive interview to maldivesoccer.com after returning back to Male' Maldives coach Istvan Urbanyi has said that after the final whistle of the final match, he felt that the boys deserved the win. Maldives Under 23 national team won the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Football Tournament, after beating Pakistan by 2 - 1 in the finals.

“We deserved the win this time. We’ve been very close to winning trophies in the past. There were some minor details, which we needed to win those. But this time, we deserved the win”

“The decision making this time went right. The goalkeeper was superb in the tournament. He gave confidence to the team and that was a huge bonus for the defenders”

“The boys fought with determination and gave everything in their physical strength to the team. They worked tirelessly. Even with the 12 minutes of extra time, they never gave up. They were hungry for the win”

When asked by maldivesoccer.com Urbanyi said that if the golden generation has gone, its time for us to build a newer generation.

“If the golden generation is over, then we have to rebuild the team and work for the future. I think we have a good team now and we have to focus on those to build the team”

“The under 23 tournament and the inclusion of younger players in the teams proved a huge bonus. Look at Andy for example. He has been solid in Maziya and he was instrumental for us”

Meanwhile, National Under 23 team captain Adhuham said to maldivesoccer.com that he has never felt the emotions he felt today and by winning the trophy.

“I have never been this much happier in my life. The feeling is great and I thank the team for their hard work. We never gave up till the final whistle. It was a great game for us”

“Now I wish to be part of the national first eleven and I would work hard to achieve that”

Hundreds of supporters gathered near the presidential jetty and in the roads of Male’ to greet the team. President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik welcomed the team in the airport and joined back in Male’.

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jj on Dec 11
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At a time when the love for national flag and patriotism is on a free-fall amid the chaos of party politics, this victory for young team would not have come a better time. It’s been a long since we saw patriotic fervor in any form, in its true sense of the term, so what a way to flutter our beloved national flag for the love of nation and for many more successes of national team. Agreed, they may not have played particularly well but they deserve it for the hard work they put in, the energy they expended to preserve their lead in the crunch final match. By the way, a stamp of approval for Urbanyi as well, for the way he molded the players for the tournament.
DhiFootball on Dec 11
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Just a word of advice, please don't rest for the next year and expect to repeat this feat. 2008 we won the Saff championship and in 2009 we handed it over to the u23 team of India. Ever since the group match in 2009(versus the bench team of India) we have yet to win over India and they have scored 3 past us the last two games we played against them. I know some may not like these comments at this point of time, but while congratulating the team I urge to work harder. We have the potential but need to improve in lots of areas. Discipline on and off the pitch to start with. I recall maatey once saying that our players have to play more than Spain players in a season to support cutting our season short. I hope we try to emulate these players in discipline too. To succeed we need to work hard and be pro all the time. Young national team players, I congratulate you once again but this is just the beginning and pls keep on working hard. You can improve much more. Wishing Maldivian football all the best.
Maldives Football Future on Dec 13
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Congratulations for the U23 team. They were the best team in the tournament. This is the beginning of a long road to those players. I hope they keep their discipline and become household names in Maldives. It is easier said than done. Wish guys all the best for the future.

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