Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Gela Shekiladze, the head coach of the Tajikistan national football team and former assistant coach of the Maldives national football team, describes his experience with the Maldives as a "privilege."
From early 2018 to the end of 2019, Gela worked as an assistant coach of Maldives National Football Team, alongside Croatian coach Petr Segrt, who had previously served as the head coach of Algeria.
Gela played a key role in the Maldives' success, contributing to their victory in the 2018 SAFF Championship, which was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The highly rated tactician, Gela's Algeria is now in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, alongside the Maldives, the Philippines, and East Timor.
"I have had the privilege of working with the Maldives team, and I can assure you they are a challenging side," Gela, addressed his previous experience, on the Maldives.
"As for East Timor, they may not possess the same strength as the Philippines, but we must approach every team with utmost respect. Disregarding an opponent can lead to dire consequences. The road to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers won't be straightforward. Every match calls for respect, preparation, and unwavering commitment."
Gela who worked in various age group of Georgian football highlighted the competitiveness of the tournament, stating, "There are no weak teams at this level. Every match requires thorough preparation. The Philippines will pose a strong challenge; we know their style well, having faced them twice earlier this year. Their squad includes several players with experience in European leagues, making them a tough opponent. Our past encounters have always been difficult, especially during the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers."
He also revealed, "We have developed a detailed plan for our preparations ahead of the crucial qualifying matches. The coming year will be critical, as our players will participate in a number of domestic and international fixtures. It's essential that potential national team players stay in peak physical condition. Our primary objective is to secure a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, and we are fully committed to achieving this goal."
In February of this year, the Tajikistan Football Federation appointed Gela Shekiladze as their new head coach.
Prior to this, Gela had served as an assistant coach since January 2022, working alongside Petar Segrt. Under their guidance, Tajikistan achieved a historic feat by securing a spot in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, marking the country's first-ever appearance in a major continental football tournament after five failed attempts.
During their tenure, Tajikistan also claimed victory in the 2022 King's Cup in Thailand and the 2023 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia, all while overseeing a youthful squad with an average age of just 21.
The Tajikistan Football Federation is optimistic that Gela Shekiladze will be the key to leading a national team that will continue to develop and progress in the years ahead.
Maldives will play Tajikistan twice in October 2025, with both matches scheduled within a five-day span:
9 October 2025 – Maldives vs Tajikistan (Home)
14 October 2025 – Tajikistan vs Maldives (Away)
