Preview: Bangladesh v Maldives

Trivandrum, INDIA – A win against Bangladesh will surely send Maldives into the semi final with six points from two games. Maldives won the match against Bhutan yesterday by 3-1 in their first match of the tournament. Maldives has never finished a SAFF Championship without reaching the semi final.

Bangladesh vs Maldives

SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015

Venue: Trivandrum International Stadium

Capacity: 50,000 spectators

Kick-off: 15:30 (15:00 hrs Maldives time)

Team News

There is no injury in the Maldivian national team ahead of the Bangladesh game, but it seems there might be some changes in the starting lineup.

Maldives team coach, Ricki Herbert has said to media today just after the final practice session that there might be some changes tomorrow.

“There might be some changes tomorrow but I will see how the players recover today and I will finalize it tomorrow morning.”

Bangladesh coach Maruful Haque said that his squad is ready for the tournament after 18 days of preparation.

“This team is ready after 18 days of preparation and we have been playing very well but it may not be enough in this tournament. We do respect our opponents.”

Ashfaq trying to beat two Bhutanese defenders. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)

Match preview

Bangladesh lost their opening game against Afghanistan by 4-0 yesterday in this year’s edition. Afghanistan scored three goals against Bangladesh in the first half and they scored another goal in the 70th minute.

“Bangladesh played very well against Afghanistan yesterday and I will say tomorrow will be a tough game for us and for sure it will be tougher than Bhutan.”

“Tomorrow for us is just another challenge and I don’t want to put any pressure on the boys. You know I brought some young players and they are experienced but its good environment for them to be in.” Ricki added.

Head-to-head

Maldives has won 2 matches of their 10 games in different tournaments so far and managed to draw 4 matches and lost 4 matches in FIFA registered matches. Bangladesh won against Maldives by 8 -0 in 1985 while Maldives defeated them by 3-1 in 2011 edition to book a place in the semi final.

Bangladesh 5 - 0 Maldives, Kathmandu, 1984

Bangladesh 8 - 0 Maldives, Dhaka, 1985

Bangladesh 0 - 0 Maldives, Dhaka, 1993

Bangladesh 0 - 0 Maldives, Madras, 1995

Maldives 1 - 1 Bangladesh, Kathmandu, 1997

Maldives 2 - 1 Bangladesh, Kathmandu, 1999

Maldives 1 - 1Bangladesh, Male’, 2000

Bangladesh 1- 0 Maldives, Dhaka, 2003

Maldives 1 - 1 Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2003 (Bangladesh won 5-3 after penalty shoot out)

Maldives 3-1 Bangladesh, New Delhi, 2011

Young striker Hamza in action against Bhutan in the first match. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)

Recent meetings

During the 2011 edition of SAFF Championship held at New Delhi, India, Maldives defeated Bangladesh by 3-1 in the group stage and confirmed a place in the semi final of the tournament. Ahmed Thoriq scored twice in just seventeen minutes and Ali Ashfaq scored another good goal.