Time changes, same venue

If the match takes place, then let's focus on it and use it as chance to deviate our attention, hand-in-hand, to the beautiful game, away from the politics. Some have highlighted the importance of the SAFF tournament. However, I think the HK WQ match is more important for 2 reasons. First and foremost, it's a great opportunity to show the world that we are moving beyond SAFF region. Secondly, if we go into SAFF with a win against HK, we'll be more upbeat and improve our chances from the motivation and a revitalised squad.

You would have to feel sorry for the coach. He had come to this so-called idyllic country on a short term basis to work in relative peace and harmony, yet, his very first match at home he is bogged down by security fears even he would be wary of...I wonder if the players are up for it?

Is this the difference between a local coach and foreign coach? The pall of gloom has disappeared and a feel good factor has returned. Their sagging morales have been lifted and a sense of discipline has been instilled in the players. We’ll have wait and see if they have turned a corner and are behind a bad form that almost destroyed their league credentials? It must feel awful. The man shot to fame in no time and the decent has been as abrupt. Shady and suspicious in his dealings on personal front, his professional life is unravelling in front of our eyes for public consumption like hollywood potboiler. There was always something something odd about attitude, his largesse to the first lady on her birthday, the uncomfortable closeness he enjoys with various gangs living off his hand, millions of ruffiyas that disappeared under his watch. As the saying goes, power corrupt and absolute power corrupt absolutely. He bit the feeding hand, broken the trust of the One must thank the wisdom of new radiant owners. Without wasting time to bring a foreign coach at the time they did, even if for the final round of the league was commendable. To go for a local coach would not have been the best idea. Now look at them, they are completely transformed. They might not be brimming with confidence. But they are getting the results, which is what matters at the moment. There was a period when they were playing second fiddle to a Maziya team on a fine form. The title was by then slipping away from them. Coach sobah was unable to stem the rot. Now everything appear to have turned in their favour. Conversely, Maziya has hit upon some kind of stagnation.They have forgotten how to win. Something is not clicking after their Addu triumph. The man whose sheer personality was purported to make things happen do not appear to be inspiring his demoralised players. And they are fast dropping down the table. Another certain defeat. Hong Kong are preparing like they not only want three points but also plenty of goals while we are yet to start any practice of serious note. Given the precarious situation the country is in, whether the players are in the right frame of mind is also questionable. Couple of days back they were probably preoccupied by the uncertainty surrounding their football career and the league as it was suspended indefinitely. Some respite though a workable solution had been reached in time and the game is on unlike it was feared to the contrary. Even then there is nothing much to cheer about. Due to suspension and injuries, the backbone of the team, Umair and Adey will miss this match. A huge blow. As for Dangadey he in recent weeks had been misfiring and looking like his struggle with his fitness is not as fleeting as it had been assumed. So with his indifferent form and backbone of the the team missing and Imran still out injured we are looking for yet another disastrous result. By the way how Akram not the squad is baffling.