Vanli believes his job is at risk

 









 Male', MALDIVES - VB Addu FC coach, Vanli believes his job is at risk after they failed to qualify to the second round of AFC Cup for the third consecutive time. 

Speaking after last night's match against Al Ahed, Vanli said that even if the management decides to leave him, he fully understands the situation.

"I know it is at risk and I can fully understand the decision, if they (Club management) decides to take the decision to let me go."

"But they also have to balance out things. They have to understand my position. Every year, our team changes and we have to start from scratch. Defense line changes, midfield changes and even the strikers. So again we have to work on combination practices. In successful teams, they build up a team for a long period. It does not happen here"

Vanli has been a successful coach in VB Addu FC even though he did not have any success in AFC Cup. VB Addu FC has managed just a single point in this year's AFC Cup.

However, VB Addu FC CEO Gahthaan said that the club have not thought about it for a single second to leave coach Vanli.

"The thought never crossed our mind for a single second." 

Source: www.maldivesoccer.com

FAM on second thoughts

Male', MALDIVES – Football Association of Maldives (FAM) is having second thoughts in giving permission to host Wataniya Club Maldives Futsal tournament during May 18th to June 9th. Speaking to maldivesoccer.com, FAM president Ali Azim said that a decision would be taken very soon in giving permission, but FAM is having second thoughts in giving the permission on the dates proposed by Club Maldives.

“We will take a decision very soon regarding Club Maldives Cup. But we might not be able to give permission to host the tournament in the dates proposed by Club Maldives”

In his twitter, Azim said that they are thinking about the options regarding Club Maldives Futsal event

“Seriously considering all the options regarding the annual club Maldives futsal event”

However, Azim did not disclose the reasons and said it would be informed to Club Maldives.

FAM and Club Maldives has also agreed not to include any national team players selected for the last AFC Challenge Cup to be included in this year’s Wataniya Club Maldives Cup. In Azim’s twitter he said that the decision not to include national team players was taken for the betterment of Maldivian football.

Source: www.maldievesoccer.com

Victory Loses in home ground

Victory’s AFC cup hopes were dented by losing 3-1 at home against Home United yesterday.

Singapore side broke the deadlock in the 55th minute from a rebounded ball by Shahril, and indra doubled the lead in the second half.

Victory substitute Hussein Niyaz pulled one goal back, but Brazilian Marksman Oliveira Sealed the victory for Home United. Home United are at the top of group D with 12 points. Malaysian treble winner Kedah are 3 points behind Home United with two matches to go. Victory is at the bottom with only 1 point collected from Hong Kong side South china.

Despite Victory’s new signing of Marcos Aguirre, his side remain unimpressive as they showed a hopeless second half display. Paraguayan George Rodriguez came on as a substitute player but it was not enough for them to secure any points.

Meanwhile New Radiant grabs their first point of this year’s AFC cup tournament with a 1-1 draw in Singapore. Wilkinson took the lead in the 27th minute with a fine volley. Captain Assad abdhul ghani replied in a rebounded ball from his penalty which was saved by the Singapore armed forces goal keeper in the five minutes from the second half.

Singapore Armed dominated the group E standings, while new radiant is at the bottom.

Warriors gunning for New Radiant

Male', MALDIVES -
Captain Aleksandar Duric expects Singapore Armed Forces to bounce back from their first loss of 2008 when the S-League champions entertain New Radiant of the Maldives in an AFC Cup Group E encounter at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.

SAF saw their run of 11 consecutive wins in the S-League and AFC Cup come to a halt when a stoppage-time goal condemned them to a 3-2 defeat against Super Reds on Sunday.

But while disappointed to see the team's perfect start finally come to an end, Duric felt it could spur them on to even greater heights this season.

"It's just a part of the game. It's not good to lose but it's a wake-up call to us for our next game," said the naturalised Singapore international striker.

"It's a long season, we've still got many games to play this year and despite the loss, we're still only one point off top spot in the S-League, so it's not too bad.

"I think so far it's been great this season. The team is playing well and from our results, you can see that we've been scoring a lot of goals because we've been playing good attacking football."

SAF coach Richard Bok hopes that his charges can learn from their recent setback as they look to build on their perfect record in the AFC Cup.

"It was good to get the loss out of the way but then again, we have to learn from some of the mistakes we made and try to rectify them," said Bok.

"So far, it's been quite smooth for us in the AFC Cup and credit must go to the team. They've worked very hard and they played according to the plans and that's the result.”

Apart from forward Ashrin Shariff, who will have to undergo a late fitness test on a tight hamstring, SAF have a fully fit squad although Bok will be concerned with fatigue as his team face their fifth game in 16 days.

Opposite number Gerd Zeis faces a very different problem with no competitive fixtures other than the AFC Cup at present for his side.

Defender Adam Shareef will also miss the game following his sending off in New Radiant's first meeting with SAF in Male.

"Our cup competition is over and we are now preparing for the leagues season which begins in June so we only have these three AFC Cup games now," said the German, whose team have yet to register a point in Group E.

"We also have another problem as the national team is now playing in the Asian Cup qualifiers and I only have half of my team training with me.

"We've done some technical training and played some friendly games but it is difficult when the national players come back, they are tired and have injuries.

"But we're looking forward to this game and we don't want to leave empty-handed."


Source: The AFC

Naabe replaces Saanthi as Development Officer

Male', MALDIVES -
Mohamed Nasir (Naabe) has been appointed to the post of Youth Development Officer – a post previously hold by current assistant coach of national team, Ihsan Abdul Ghanee (Saanthi). The change has been made to give others the leadership training, says interim committee secretary Shah Ismail.

“Ihsan has served long as a development officer, so it is vital to give others the same experience Ihsan gained. That’s the reason of Naabe being appointed to the position” Shah said.

Shah added that it’s a priority to improve the leadership of coaches working in the youth development and will give that opportunity as much as possible.

Saanthi has been working as national team’s assistant coach for a long time and still remain as one of the two assistants to the team. Shah also said that Saanthi needs to work with the national team in a big tournament this year, so he needs more time for that.

“He (Saanthi) is also working in national team, there is a lot of admin works and other works in the team. So he needs time for that as well”

When asked about whether there could any problem with Saanthi that leads to this change, Shah said that if there are other problems he (Saanthi) will be removed from other posts as well.