This game is important says Imma

Male’, MALDIVES – Maziya Sports and Recreation Club’s coach Ismail Mahfooz has said that the game against Hanoi is an important game for them even though they don’t have any chance of advancing to the second round of AFC Cup.

“Even if we win the game we don’t have any chance to advance to the second round and this is one of the best teams in the group. But this game is important for us and we will try to win the game as a team.”

“When we analyzed previous games, we have performed well in the away games when compared to the home games. I guess our preparation was not good when we prepared to the home games.”

Imma also said that they will use some new players against Hanoi to give them experience.

“Yes we will have some changes in the game against Hanoi. I will use some new players and the young players need to have experience in these kinds of games. They need to play games against good teams.”

“I guess this match will help us to motivate the players when we kick off the league games. We will play as a team against Hanoi.”

Imma also reiterated the importance of playing competitive games ahead of these kinds of matches.

“I would say if we want to have a good result in AFC Cup we must play competitive games ahead of the tournament. But we started the AFC Cup without any competitive game and as a result of this our performance was not as we expected.”

On the other hand Hanoi’s coach Phan Thanh Hung said that it is an important match for them to get maximum points.

“This is a very important game for us and we will try as our level best to win the game.”

“We are on the top of the group but we will not take this match easy and we will try to get all the points in the group stage.”

He also added that Maziya is a strong side and they have showed that in the first leg.

“In the first leg Maziya played very well in the first half and it was not an easy game. So like the first match I think that tomorrow’s game will not be an easy game. I know this is their home game and they will try to play well against us.”

“We need to win this game. It’s important for us to win this match ahead of our last group match.”