National team starts practices for Nehru Cup

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Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives National football team has started their training for the upcoming Nehru Cup tonight. 23 players from the preliminary squad of 26 joined the trainings this evening that was held at National Stadium.

Injured Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo), and Fiarooz Adam Naseer of VB while, Mukhthaar Naseer (Twokilo) who retired from international football didn’t take part in tonight’s training.

Speaking to Maldivesoccer.com, Head Coach of National Team Istavan Urbani said that he would eliminate three more players before departing to Delhi, as only 20 players are allowed to be registered in the team.

“I have to eliminate three more players because we are asked to register a team of 20 players”

“So I am considering of taking only two goalkeepers, even though its risky. We would include one more field player"

Three junior players were included in the preliminary squad announced last week. They are Ahmed Imaz (Aakko) of Club Eagles, goalkeeper Mohamed Imran of Maziya Sports and Recreation and, Moosa Yamin of All Youth Linkage (AYL). All three junior players are in the U22 National Team.

Maldives National Team is scheduled to depart India on 21st of August.

Nepal, Cameroon, Maldives, Syria and India are participating in the next Edition of Nehru Cup. Maldives will face Nepal in its opening game. Best two teams of the round-robin basis tournament will be qualified to the final, which is scheduled to be held on 2nd September. Prize money of 200,000 dollars will be awarded to the champion team of the five nation cup.