Popov slams senior players

Aug 01, 2015 - 10:07:26 |
National team coach Velizar Popov. (Photo: Maldives Olympic Committee)

Saint Denis, REUNION – Maldives national team coach Velizar Popov has slammed some senior players after the disastrous result against Mayotte last night in the 9th Indian Ocean Island Games here in Reunion.

Speaking to the Maldives media after the game against Mayotte, Popov said the young players performed as he expected.

“I am very happy with the performance of the young players. Naiz, Imaz and Hamza’s performance was as I expected and I am really happy with that.”

“But some of the senior players frustrated me and I will make this as their last tournament. They are travelling with the team to upload photos to Instagram and like the photos of girls on Facebook and trying to make a new hair style.” Bulgarian tactician added.

Popov also added that Mayotte team is a strong side and they have some players who are playing in the French teams.

“Mayotte is a strong side but our players played well in the first half but they changed the game in the second half with their experience and physical fitness.”

Maldives will play against Seychelles tomorrow in their second game. Seychelles got three points yesterday when Madagascar team failed to present at the stadium for the game due to visa issues.

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DhiFootball on Aug 01
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I really hope that the management of FAM and related authorities supports the coach on this. Unfortunately, it is too often that we see good coaches loosing their job due to the players having their influence in management. Only the most committed players should be on the pitch. They should be honored to wear the national colors and give it all for the country. Fully support the coach on this. I don't think the coach should even wait until the end of IOIG. Make the changes from the next game onwards. We would rather see the next generation try and loose instead of seeing a half committed team loose. May Allah show our team the way for success.
M.N.T. on Aug 01
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I don't believe there is even a single man in FAM or in Male who thinks that the poor results are coming because of Popov's work. And I'm afraid that we don't deserve him as a coach to our national team. If this is true and some players don't understand the importance of being national players....there is not going to be any change even if Guardiola come or someone else. I admire the decision of Popov to work with national team but the only good thing is that obviously he brings the players back to Maldives in better condition than before. i'm not from FAM and I don't want to take decisions but if we want to change something we have to think in future development of young players. Starting to bring quality Coaches and players . If we change our sport mentality to our young players and if we start to train proper from young age. Maybe, Maybe our small population will have a player or two like Man of Steel. But as we see we are years back on another stage.
foari on Aug 01
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Coach I respect your decision ... change the playing style n give more room for young midfielders in the squad ... specially to young ones ... Im sure some of them will make u happy ... we hope many good things frm our senior team they cant do anything special other than there famous names in previous years ... good decision as a Maldivian I support u ... don't know about the FAM
Mauroof on Aug 01
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Result doesn't matter in youth tournaments as long as the team performs according to the plan. But at senior level result does matter. Self promotion by players maybe part of issue. There could be other issues that could be reasons for failure to bring results. As a professional coach or a manager he or she must anticipate these issues during preparations and must assume them as risks that needs to have a plan to mitigate. Instant conclusions made just based on one match in particular in the media may at times makes things worse. My suggestion for the coach is to revisit his plan again and see what's going good and what's going against him. Try to address them and still keep focussed.
Imma on Aug 01
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I'm glad to see that he is happy with the performances of Hamza, Imaz and Naiz. Hopefully this paves the way for young players to solidify their status in the team. Myself and many others who comment on MS have been begging for someone to freshen up our team. Hopefully, the senior players will take this as a wake up call, rather than sulk and cause divisions within the squad. We all remember the disastrous tournament 4 years ago. Hopefully it will not be a repeat this time.
boyko on Aug 02
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Popov has highlighted a very sigificant problem deeply embedded in our way of life, our culture, our sports but mysteriously successive sports admintrations have given a raw deal, a deaf ear mostly succumbing to pressure of the powerful BIG footballers. To kick out this malaise from its root football clubs, FAM and other concerned authorities need to work out a long lasting solution. One that is solely geared to the development of our sports. Just sports. Not to cater to the fawning patulance of big name players. One of the reasons our football has not developed the way it should due to this, powerful players overpowering their way into FAM decision making and lack of discipline at every stra of our football family
Ishujau on Aug 03
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I 100% support to Coach. we need discipline, hardworking players. I am sure that Popove can change our National team and will make difference in field.

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