Result is important says Stewart

Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives national team coach Darren Stewart has said that result is important for him other than a good performance in tomorrow’s AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Laos.

“We want to win tomorrow’s game and our main target will be to win the game not just to have good performance. It’s a very important match for us.” Stewart said in the pre match press conference today.

He also reiterated that the result against Laos in 2014 was past and it won’t change anything tomorrow.

“We won against Laos by 7-1 back in 2014 and our recent victory against Bangladesh is past and it doesn’t change tomorrow’s game.”

Stewart also said that they has done enough work during the past seven weeks for this match.

“I have done some homework’s for this match during the last seven weeks but I don’t know how they will play against us tomorrow. I want to focus about our team and individual qualities gave us hope.”

“Yes it will be a special game for us. I have been in football for long enough and I understand the pressure if we fails to get a good result against Laos tomorrow. I want to win these two games and also to win a contract to take them to Asian Cup.”

Laos coach Valakone Phomphakdy during today's press conference. (MS photo: Ibrahim Faid)

On the other hand his counterpart, Valakone Phomphakdy said that they came here to get something tomorrow.

“We came here to get at least a point against Maldives tomorrow and we will see how things will be in the second leg.”

“Yes we lost against the Maldives by 7-1 and its past. Things have changed and we are moving forward with a new setup. We have some players who have played in that match but 70% of the team is changed and I am sure you will see the difference tomorrow.”

He also said that Maldives is the favourite team but it won’t be an easy game for the home team.

“Recently Maldives had played a good game against Maldives and we did the same against Saudi Arabia even though we lost the game. Maldives is the favourite team and also it’s their home game.”

Maldives will play against Laos tomorrow night at 2100 hours at National Football Stadium and the second leg is scheduled for 11th October in Laos.