We are not favourites - Mamic

Sep 01, 2014 - 10:39:24 | Shimaaz Ali
Drago Mamic during today's practice session held at National Football Stadium.

Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives under 23 national team coach Drago Mamic has said that Maldives is not a favorite to advance to the second round of the upcoming Incheon Asian Games.

Speaking to the media just after the practice session Drago said Indonesia and Thailand are the favorites from this group.

“We are not the favourites to advance to the second round of the tournament. Indonesia and Thailand are the favorites in our group.”

“I cannot judge the opponents at this time and all I know is Indonesia and Thailand are preparing very well for this tournament and I will say about our quality after the first match.” Drago said after the practice session held at National Football Stadium.

When asked about the preparation for the tournament Drago said that he is preparing the team tactically.

“I am using 22 players and I am trying to prepare them tactically. They are not in a bad physical condition and I need them to get used to my game plan.”

“These players will represent the Maldives national team in the upcoming years as most of our senior players are over 30.”

Maldives lies in the group E along with Thailand, Indonesia and East Timor. Maldives team will leave to South Korea on 11th of this month and their first match against Thailand is on 14th of this month.

Name

Comment

Send Now
Comments
noball on Sep 02
Like 4
Dislike 0
Reply
No intense physical preparation, no camp, no friendlies ahead of the tournament! What kind of preparation is this! So just because you have signed up for the tournament you are taking part, is it? I salute Ilham’s vision….of Maldives football..how he loves to see club football when his tenure as FAM president ends in another 3 and half years. He will go down as the biggest blessing for our tiny nation’s football.
Issey on Sep 03
Like 3
Dislike 0
Reply
Yes! I have played in inter-school football tournaments in primary school and had much better preparations than this. This is just disgraceful and embarrassing.
fan on Sep 02
Like 1
Dislike 2
Reply
Mamic you say these players will represent Maldives national team in the upcoming years but you are not giving those players at crucial position in the team a chance gain more international experience by selecting top two forwards of senior national team and the best defensive midfielder of Maldives at the moment. How will that help junior team strikers?
Imma on Sep 02
Like 2
Dislike 1
Reply
To be honest, I don't think Mamic is given a lot of power during squad selections. He has to do with what he's got. If he had it his way, I seriously doubt we would be taking Ashfaq or Bakaa. It's the clueless gimps at FAM who are running the show. Unfortunately, they have no idea on how to run the show and think the fans won't realize how bad the state of our football is if they pick all the most popular players.
sadbuttrue on Sep 03
Like 2
Dislike 0
Reply
When junior team strikers don’t get an opportunity to play in an important under 23 tournament you know there is a problem. And that is where the problem starts. And when this team become senior national and the strikers underperform coach and others heap the blame on players. This is how the vicious cycle of Maldives football runs. Blame the players but never pause to think how they have withheld young players form developing into fearless, confident strikers.

Headlines