Maldives to play against Yemen in Asian Cup

Apr 07, 2016 - 12:55:27 | Shimaaz Ali
Maldives team players celebrating a goal against Bhutan in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives will play against Yemen in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers Play-off round after the draw ceremony held today at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. Qualifiers play off will be held over two legs on June 2 and 7.

Eleven countries ranked 29th to 39th respectively after the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers - Tajikistan, Chinese Taipei, Maldives, Malaysia, Laos, India, Yemen, Timor Leste, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Bhutan - will battle it out in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers Play-offs, which will be played over two rounds, Play-off I and Play-off II.

The winner of each pairing (total five teams) will advance to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers Final Round while the remaining five losing teams will join the team ranked 39th in Qualifiers Play-off II (total six teams).

Maldives won the two match against Bhutan out of the eight matches played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

Maldives team failed to get a good result in the SAFF Suzuki Cup, Bangabandhu Gold Cup and SAFF Games under the helm of Ricki Herbert.

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Imma on Apr 08
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Hopefully by that time, Herbert would've managed to find a proper defensive midfielder and overall, a more sensible tactical plan as well. At the moment, our attackers and defenders look like they've been forcefully segregated. When we lose the ball, no one tracks back to win it, just waiting for the defenders to clean everything up. A lack of Bakaa-type player in the middle of the pitch also leads to wide open chasms in front of our defense which leaves the opposition players too much time to exploit us. I know that Bakaa is probably not going to get a second chance under Herbert, but surely there are other players available to play in that position. Adey simply does not have the patience or discipline to play there on a permanent basis. I noticed that Rilwan is being played there by Stoickov, so he could be a good candidate. A lot of tactical work is required before the clash with Yemen, whom most people believe are the strongest team in the play-offs.
footballmad on Apr 10
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A brilliant assessment. I hope Herbert reads this.
Boyko on Apr 09
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In light of their recent struggles againt the likes of region's whipping boys Bhutan, I will say Maldives will struggle againt a Yemen side placed at 176 even though Maldives are some 16 place above them. Maldives at 160 is playing like the bhutan of 2005, easily harried, a defence full of holes, energy-sapped players not particularly playing for the cause of the team. Their only recent achivement was two-legged win over Bhutan, nail biting finishes at best, before that three back to back ingnomious exit at semi-finals. And what promise it holds when a coach is all over the place with his bewildering failure to plug a leaky defence and ping pong style football!
hope on Apr 10
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lets start more intensive training to this match ... and change the defense line ... use some older n experience players ... I believe Maldives can win this match ...

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