Male' Maldives: Maldivian goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal has been recalled to the National Football Team after a two-year absence.
Head coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) included the veteran shot-stopper in the 26-member squad for the upcoming South Asian Super Cup clashes against Sri Lanka, scheduled for September 6 and 9 in Colombo.
Faisal, 37, who won Best Player honors at the 2018 SAFF Championship, last featured for the national team in early 2023, prior to that year’s SAFF Championship. Following an injury that required surgery, he has recently returned to action with top-tier side Buru Sports Club.
A long-serving and decorated figure in Maldivian football, his return brings valuable experience and leadership to the squad as the Red Snappers prepare for crucial regional fixtures and build towards the AFC qualifiers in October and November.
The squad features a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talents. Among the fresh faces are Hassan Raaidh, a standout from the U19 national team, who earns his first senior call-up, and U17 striker Ilan Imran, who also joins the senior ranks for the first time.
Speaking to "Adhadhu Sports", coach Mohan explained that injuries to some players necessitated rotation in the squad, while also giving opportunities to promising youngsters as part of long-term planning.
The national team will begin training tomorrow night before departing for Colombo on September 4th.
Maldives squad to face Sri Lanka
MOHAMED FAISAL
SAMOOH ALI
HUSSAIN SIFAAU YOUSUF
MOHAMED IRUFAAN
ALI FASIR
IBRAHIM AISAM
MAZIYA SR
NAIZ HASSAN
HAMZA MOHAMED
HASSAN RAIF AHMED
HAISHAM HASSAN
AHMED AIHAM
HASSAN NAZEEM
IYAN ABDUL ALEEM
HASSAN SHIFAZ
IBRAHIM USAMAA HASSAN MAJEEDH
HASSAN EENAZ
IBRAHIM MAHUDHEE HUSSAIN
HUSSAIN NIHAAN
MOHAMED NAIM
AHMED RIZUVAN
AHMED AIHAM
HISHAM SALEEM
MOHAMED YAAMEEN
AHZAM RASHEED
MOHAMED ILAN IMRAN
HASSAN RAAIDH
