Maldives to play in group stage

Feb 11, 2015 - 02:28:49 |

Ashad Ali playing against Iran in FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives will play in the group stage (second round) of Asia Zone in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. Maldives got this opportunity based on the recent Coca Cola FIFA World ranking after included in the top 34 countries in Asia.

According to FIFA, the top 34 countries in Asia zone will play in the second round, which is the group stage and the teams ranked between 35 and 46 will play in the play off. Maldives, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will play in the group stages while the regional giants, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Pakistan will play in the play off.

The draw for the group stages of the qualifying will be held on 11th April and the group stage matches will be starting on 11th June this year. Each group will consists of five teams and the matches will be played as home and away matches.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup Maldives played in the preliminary match against Yemen and in 2014 Maldives played against Iran in the preliminary round.

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hehe on Feb 11

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I still remember very vividly June 1997 like an event of yesterday when Maldives played its maiden World Cup qualifying campaign. Kuda Heena and co. were running like headless chicken, every few minutes taking the ball out of net. By full 90 minutes EMBRESSMENT was written in red letters on the face of each player. The morale-shattering 17 goals to nil plundering were the worst soccer score by any country till Australia ravaged another small nation by a bigger margin. Of cause we have come a long way since then, but every time we think of World Cup Qualifying our mind harks back to the days of those ignominious days.

footballmad on Feb 12

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Yes, it was embarrassing but also, yes, we have moved on! I also remember the heroic efforts of the team in the game against Korea Republic and the more recent home again Iran.

Imma on Feb 12

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That was an important part of our footballing history as it made us realize that we had to change some things to become more competent in international football. Many of the players in that team were well into their 30s but were only selected due to their popularity and household status among Maldivians. The goalkeeper was a free agent and had not played a single match all season. At least he managed to save a penalty from Ali Daei!

footballmad on Feb 11

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This is good news!