Preview: Maldives v Myanmar

Maldives will kick-off the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 campaign tonight against Myanmar. With huge expectations from fans, Maldives will not feel to take the chance easy while Myanmar's care taker already revealed that the first game against the home team would not be easy for them as well. Most interestingly Maldives Coach Drago Mamic who was the Head Coach for Myanmar few years back believes that it's an advantage for him as he knew much about the opponent team.

TEAM NEWS:

Myanmar: Even though Myanmar Coach Avramovic is not happy with their preparations for the tournament, still he believes that they can give a good fight against the opponents. Avramovic said that he gathered some informations about the Maldives team and watched some videos of Maldives matches and believes that everything is possible to win the match.

MALDIVES:

In the preparations for the tournament Maldives had their training camp in the Thailand and had a fruitful result in their last friendly match against Laos beating them in a 7 - 1 score line. Contrast to all, when Maldives face Myanmar, Coach Drago revealed that his team is well prepared for the game and there is no injury in his team while only player he cannot use in the match is Rilwan Waheed due to his suspension.

Maldives national team coach Drago Mamic said that it was not a new thing in football to play against former teams and it will be a plus point for him.

“It was not a new thing in football to play against former teams so I don’t have any pressure due to that.”

“I would say it is an advantage for me that I have coached Myanmar team and I know the players from Myanmar very well.”

Meanwhile, Myanmar coach Avramovic said that first match is always difficult but when playing against the host nation it gets even more tough.

“First match is difficult in every tournament and playing against the host nation in the first match is more difficult.”

“As this is the first match of the tournament for both teams things won’t be easy for either teams but we will try everything possible to win the match.”

HEAD TO HEAD:

Maldives: Played 3 and Loss all the games against Myanmar

25-03-2003: Maldives 0 -2 Myanmar (Asian Cup 2004, Qualifying)

09-07-1996: Myanmar 4 -1 Maldives (Asian Cup 1996, Qualifying)

01-07-1996: Myanmar 3 - 1 Maldives (Asian Cup 1996, Qualifying)

PROBABLE LINE-UP: MALDIVES:

Imran Mohamed (GK), Mohamed Rasheed (Hockey), Akram Abdhul Ghanee, Amdaan Ali, Mohamed Sifan, Shamweel Ghasim (Bonda), Mohamed Umair, Ashad Ali, Ali Fasir (Sentey), Hussain Niyaz (Bokury), Ali Ashfaq