Preview: Maldives v Philippines

May 27, 2014 - 10:00:02 | Shimaaz Ali
Thomas Dooley and Drago Mamic posing for a photo with AFC Challenge Cup trophy after the press conference. (MS Photo: Shimaaz Ali)

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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Abo on May 27
Like 4
Dislike 3
What an exciting encounter!! Just can't wait to watch how our beloved stars perform against a really good side with lots of great players. This one is gonna be a real thriller. Maldives has never played such a match in National Stadium in its history. No matter the prices of tickets, I AM GOING!! Be it 500 or 1000 or 2000, i just don't care when it comes to a match of this calibr. Btw, this is gonna be the toughest challenge we face in this tournament in every angle. Tactically, we must be very very good to beat Dooley. Our players need to perform at their very very best to have any chance; specially our playmaker Umair. If he plays the way he did in the previous matches, we better forget it. And dhagey needs to be at his very best form; defence should be rock-solid. Guys, we have our full faith in you! You guys just need to enjoy what you do best with 100% concentration TILL THE LAST SECOND! Insha Allah, our guys will overcome Shrock n his team n bring the greatest festival ever to this beautiful nation!
bisdak17 on May 27
Like 3
Dislike 1
you will not have a chance this time
philipino on May 27
Like 3
Dislike 0
calm down! philippines is a vry strong team, they have very quick players. if maldives cannot adept to their fast game maldives will lose.
Imakaiw on May 28
Like 2
Dislike 1
I feel sorry for your disappointment at the 3-2 result. Just curious, does Maldives Football practice FAIR PLAY?
Azkals on May 27
Like 2
Dislike 0
Hope Referee's are not bias..........good luck to both teams.

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