Suzain appointed caretaker coach of Maldives national team

Maldives most accomplished coach, Ali Suzain has been chosen to coach the national football team in time for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship to be held in October.

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel announced the coaching staff for the upcoming SAFF Championship 2021, on Monday. While Suzain has been appointed caretaker coach, Ismail Mahfooz was appointed assistance coach and Imran Mohamed as both assistant and goalkeeper coach. Aslam Abdul Raheem was also appointed as goalkeeper coach. A team doctor was also appointed.

Suzain's appointment comes less than a week after annulling agreement with Martin Koopman last Friday. While the Dutch former football defender joined the national team as head coach this January, the team has played only three matches under his guidance; the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers matches held in June.

The Maldivian team lost the first three matchs, 4-0 against Syria and 5-0 against China, it drew agains Philippines with a 1-1 score in the last match.

While Maldives lost by 0-4 against Syria in the qualifications, they lost by 0-5 against China. However, in the final match Maldives played, they tied against Philippines by 1-1; this was Maldives first time earning a point against Philippines.

Koopman who joined the team as head coach less than eight months ago, has become shortest-serving coach in team's history.

While this will be Suzain's first time guiding the team, he had previously served as an assistant coach, twice. Further, he was recently appointed head coach of the under-23 national team.

The 13th SAFF Championship is scheduled from 1 - 13 October, in Maldives.