Male', Maldives: Maldives National Football Team head coach, Ali Suzain, expressed that his primary focus is on the positive impact the Bangladesh Friendlies will have on the current challenges facing football in the Maldives.
Maldives is set to face Bangladesh twice in just three days in FIFA International Friendlies, with matches scheduled for November 13th and 16th at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.
A little over a month ago, Maldives began preparations for the Bangladesh friendlies without players from Maziya Sports and Recreation, as the club was focused on the AFC Challenge League group stage, which wrapped up earlier this month.
These clashes against Bangladesh will be Maldives' first international matches in over a year.
The current situation in Maldives football remains uncertain, with the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) being managed by a normalization committee appointed by FIFA. Additionally, there is still no confirmed timeline for the start of the top-tier football season in the country, which concluded last December.
In his first interview with "Adhadhu Sports," when the practice began, Suzain shared that the timing of Maldives' international matches, occurring during a period without the Dhivehi Premier League or any top-tier competition, should not be viewed as a crisis for the players.
"Players have been participating in local competitions held in the Atolls (at a recreational level), so their fitness is not as bad as some might think. Based on the level of some competitions, which I have had the chance to observe, I believe the standard is decent for the players," Suzain explained.
Suzain's goal is to achieve a positive outcome against Bangladesh and use these matches to boost Maldives football.
Reflecting on the final training sessions before the team departs for Bangladesh, Suzain expressed confidence in the team's potential ahead of the friendlies. He noted that these matches would be very different from recent encounters between the two nations.
"My main focus is on the positives. I prefer to view things from a perspective of how we can help Maldives football overcome its current challenges. If we focus on the negatives, we won't move forward. So, I'm concentrating on what we can achieve and how we can bring joy to the people," Suzain added.
In the last five encounters between Bangladesh and Maldives, Bangladesh has won three matches, while Maldives has secured one victory, with the other match ending in a draw.
Maldives has departed for Bangladesh with a squad of 25 players. The final squad includes three players from the U20 National Team, as well as a couple of senior players who have earned their spot in the final squad for the first time.
