When Farrukh Zakirov arrived in the Maldives, the Uzbekistani coach did not come with modest ambitions. He came with a plan, one built on discipline, clarity, and belief, and a single objective: to prepare a team capable of winning every match at the inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship in Bangkok–Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Just weeks later, that plan delivered historic results, as the Maldives emerged champions with a perfect winning record.
Speaking after the title-clinching victory over Sri Lanka, Farrukh was calm but satisfied, reflecting the mindset that had guided the team throughout the tournament.
“My plan was to win all the games. From day one at the SAFF Futsal Championship, I tried to do that, and finally I managed to do it with the team. Alhamdulillahi,” he said.
The journey to SAFF glory began on 1 December, when the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) identified the importance of the competition and appointed Farrukh to lead the national futsal team.
The decision proved to be a turning point.
Under Farrukh's guidance, the squad adopted a structured tactical identity, improved fitness standards, and a renewed sense of confidence, key elements that were previously missing.
Central to Farrukh’s approach was preparation. Before travelling to Thailand, the Maldives undertook a 10-day training camp in China, where access to quality indoor facilities allowed the team to train at an international standard.
The camp also included three friendly matches against the China National Team, offering valuable competitive exposure.
“The China camp was very important for us. We had a good indoor pitch to train properly, and the matches against China helped improve the team significantly,” Farrukh explained.
That preparation translated immediately into results. Maldives opened their SAFF campaign with a commanding 7–1 win over Pakistan, followed by a 6–1 victory against Bangladesh and a dominant 5–0 triumph over India. As the tournament progressed, opponents adapted their strategies and challenges grew tougher. Yet, the Maldivian side remained composed and tactically disciplined, edging Nepal 2–1, defeating Bhutan 3–1, and sealing the championship with a 5–2 win over Sri Lanka.
Farrukh credited the players’ discipline and trust in the process for navigating the latter stages of the competition.
“I knew that in the final matches every team would come with their own plan to play against Maldives. But I trusted my players to follow our plan and win those matches. I am happy because they listened to me very carefully,” he said.
A former Uzbekistan National Team player, Farrukh believes the SAFF Futsal Championship triumph should be viewed not as a destination, but as a foundation. According to him, Maldives has now earned respect within the region, and with it, higher expectations.
“Now every team in SAFF knows that Maldives is a strong futsal team. Maldives must continue this work and think about reaching the next step, which is AFC qualification. To establish a strong squad with the right facilities for training is very important,” he stressed.
Farrukh concluded his two-month contract and returned to Uzbekistan two days ago, leaving behind more than just a trophy. His impact is visible in the team’s tactical discipline, professional mindset, and belief that Maldivian futsal belongs on a bigger stage. The challenge now lies in building on that foundation, turning a historic SAFF triumph into a sustained push toward Asian Cup qualification and long-term regional competitiveness.
