Maldives lost to Azkals

Sep 03, 2015 - 08:55:05 |
Maldives starting line up against Philippines tonight.

Manila, PHILIPPINES – Maldives national football team lost their international friendly game against Philippines by 2-0 tonight in Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. The two goals came in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Maldives played a very defensive game in the first half to test the players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier against China and created two good chances before the break.

Maldives defender Samdhooh Mohamed scored an own goal in the 50th from a header while clearing a corner kick from the Azkals.

Six minutes later Javier Patino doubled the lead from a wonderful header inside the box from a set piece.

After the two goals coach Imma made some changes to the team and introduced the young players like Naiz, Hamza, Muaz, Fasir, Moosa Yamin and Easa.

In the 70th minute Maldives striker Ahmed Nashid missed a golden opportunity to score from a descent pass from Muaz but shot it over the bar inside the box.

Two minutes later Hamza beat his marker and hits the side netting inside the six-yard box.

Maldives caretaker coach Ismail Mahfooz said that they are preparing for the match against China next week and he is happy with the performance of the players.

“I am happy with the performance of the players especially in the first half. We played very well with tactical discipline.”

“The game plan which I am trying to play against China is not what we had played during the last six months in our national team. So it will be difficult for the players to adjust to that. But the players are improving.”

Maldives will leave Philippines tomorrow for the match against China. They will arrive to China on Saturday.

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fan on Sep 04
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Wonder why Dhangadey was not in the team, even as a substitute? Has he not gone to Philippines to join the team on Monday as it was reported? We see him so often join the team on the eleventh hour yet be on the starting line-up much to the discomfiture of the disgruntled player who is forced to give way. Has the equation changed in recent days, his bragging rights as a powerful player diminished with the departure of the Popov and Shaveed makes it happen in the internal matter of team. Owing to the lack of information form media to that effect, it is difficult to understand where things stand as far as Shaveed and Ashfag is concerned. Can MS clarify this?
footballmad on Sep 04
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Recently, our fans have been wondering who our next coach is going to be. With the absence of Dhagey our Captain in this match and the last few matches, I'm wondering who our next Captain's going to be? Or, am I being too cynical? It's very uneasy not knowing whether our best player ever is going to be with us or not.
Imma on Sep 04
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That photo shows our starting XI for the match against China, except Imaaz will probably be sacrificed for Ashfaq. I know that he's there more due to injuries and suspensions to other players, but I'm happy to see Samdhooh in there. I think he's a very underrated player who also whips in really good crosses and is good with set pieces, a factor which could prove to be important when playing defensive games against the big sides. However, I am also wondering why we didn't see Ashfaq at all? Usually, the coaches would ensure that he slots straight into the team even when he joins the squad with no practice sessions under his belt. Imma has not even mentioned anything about him, so these are suspicious circumstances.

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