Preview: Afghanistan v Maldives

Dec 27, 2015 - 11:12:26 |
Maldives will play against Afghanistan tomorrow in the last match of group B in SAFF Suzuki Cup. (Photo: Ibrahim Faid)

Trivandrum, INDIA – Maldives started this year’s SAFF Suzuki Cup very well after beating Bhutan by 3-1 in the opening game and they defeated Bangladesh yesterday in the second game.

Now Maldives has Afghanistan in their last game of the group stage to confirm the first and second team of the group. Maldives and Afghanistan won their first two games in the group and both the teams got 6 points.

Maldives vs Afghanistan

SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015

Venue: Trivandrum International Stadium

Capacity: 50,000 Spectators

Kick-off: 1830 (1800 hrs Maldives time)

TEAM NEWS

Maldives showed a good performance in the first two games and especially the youngsters in the team played a vital role to win the first two games. Specially the game against Bangladesh.

There is not a single player who got injured or on a suspension for tomorrow’s game.

Ahmed Imaz got injured during the match against Bangladesh but, team physician Ahmed Shakeeb said that it is not a serious injury and he is in a position to play tomorrow.

MATCH PREVIEW

National team coach Ricki Herbert said that the game against Afghanistan would be big challenge for them.

“Afghanistan is a very matured side with 18 players who are playing Europe as full time players and a lot of international caps on their names. And I want to put players who I believe has a future for this country against teams like this. So it will be a challenging game for us.”

“I don’t like to put a team that will take the match easy. Maybe I will put a team with players that I want to see and maybe the game pressure. Maybe some changes, maybe some new positions just a look to see how some players can cope.” Ricki Herbert said to the Maldives media just after the training session today.

Maldives supporters during the match against Bangladesh yesterday. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)Maldives supporters during the match against Bangladesh yesterday. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Maldives played four times against Afghanistan and that was in the SAFF championship 2005, which was held in Pakistan, 2009 SAFF Championship held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2013 SAFF Championship held in Nepal.

 And the last meeting was in the AFC Challenge Cup in the third place play off which Maldives won by penalties. Maldives won the first game by 9-1 in 2005. Ibrahim Fazeel and Ahmed Thoriq scored a hat trick while Ali Ashfaq scored two goals. In 2009 Ashfaq scored twice and Thoriq scored a goal to beat Afghanistan by 3-1.

Maldives 9-1 Afghanistan, Pakistan, 2005

Maldives 3-1 Afghanistan, Bangladesh, 2009

Afghanistan 0-0 Maldives, Nepal, 2013

Afghanistan 1(7) - 1(8) Maldives, Maldives 2014

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Fan on Dec 28
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I don't think maldives stand much of chance to win this game. We move the ball too slowly and too often hoof the ball from back to no one in particular. I hope bakaa will regain his place back to deal with the physicality of Afgan. Aerial duals are something we have to be careful, as they are tall and strong. They will look for set-pieces and crosses to gain an upperhand. As for us since we move the ball too slowly, by the time we make couple of passes most of the opposition is back in their own half ready to disrupt our attack. Asdaulla must stop too much dribbling and look for a player in an open position to give a pass. Dhagey’s best position is to play off the main striker with a free role to provide the passes. If we sit back and try to nullify Afgan’s main threats and look for counter attacks we may get a lucky break.

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