Maldives will face Philippines (Azkals) tonight in the semifinal of the AFC Challenge Cup 2014. Maldives and Philippines played in the 2009 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying here in National Football Stadium and Maldives won the match by 3-2.
During the group stage matches Maldives managed to score four goals but conceded three goals while Philippines also scored four goals but ia yet to concede.
TEAM NEWS:
MALDIVES:
In 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying Maldives beat Philippines by 3-2 and the goal scorers for Maldives were Ali Ashfaq, Ibrahim Fazeel and Mukhuthar Naseer. Ibrahim Fazeel and Ali Ashfaq will play against Philippines tonight and it would be a bonus for the Maldives team.
Maldives coach Drago Mamic said that it will be a competitive game and they will try to diminish the quality of Philippines.
“Our aim is to win the tournament and I am sure we are in a good situation to win the tournament and all the players are available for this game. We don’t want to disappoint our beautiful fans.”
“For sure it will be a very competitive game and the opponent team is a very good team. So we will try to diminish their quality and try our best to win this game.”
Drago Mamic also said that he doesn’t have any injured player or a suspended player.
PHILIPPINES:
Philippines coach Thomas Dooley said that it will be an interesting game against the host nation and it doesn’t mean anything even if they have the players who has played against Maldives in 2009.
“Definitely it will be a very interesting game and also it will be a difficult game for us as we have to play against the home team.” Thomas said in the pre-match press conference held at Paradise Island Resort.
“It doesn’t mean anything even if it was five months ago or one year. Some players could be injured and the form may be different. So it doesn’t mean anything. We just have to concentrate during the 90 minutes and play well”
Dooley also said that he didn’t finalize his starting line-up as well as the formation of his game plan against Maldives.
HEAD TO HEAD:
Maldives won the only game against Philippines in 2009 by 3-2
16-04-2009: Maldives 3-2 Philippines
PROBABLE LINE-UP:
MALDIVES: Imran Mohamed (GK), Mohamed Rasheed (Hockey), Shafiu Ahmed, Amdaan Ali, Rilwan Waheed, Ibrahim Fazeel, Mohamed Umair, Mohamed Arif, Ali Fasir (Sentey), Hussain Niyaz (Bokury), Ali Ashfaq
PHILIPPINES: Muller, Sato Daisuke, Simone Rota, Robert James Gier, Jerry Ruben Lucena, Jason Nicolas De Jong, Stephan Markus Schrock, Martin Steuble, Patrick Alcala Reichelt, Philip James Younghusband, Aguinaldo
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