Maziya coach wishes to end AFC Cup group stage in third spot

Risto Vidaković, coach of Maldives champion team, Maziya Sports and Recreation Club has said that the match against India's Bengaluru FC will be tough, however, he does not wish to end the tournament at the bottom of the group table, in the AFC Cup South Asia Group Stage.

Maziya’s first match was against Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings, where the team faced a defeat with a score of 0-2. Moreover, the second match played by the team was won by India's ATK Mohun Bagan, the score being 1-3.

Bengaluru FC lost its first match to Mohun Bagan by a score of 0-2, their next match ending in a tie with Bashundhara Kings.

As a result, both teams are now out of the competition.

Speaking at a press conference prior to the team's game against Bengaluru FC on Tuesday night, Maziya’s coach revealed that the team's motivation had somewhat been affected due to the defeat. However, the team aims to secure three points in Tuesday's game.

Maziya's forward Hamza 'Hampu' Mohamed stated that players aim to end the tournament with a win in its last game of the group stage matches. Hamza said that they have "no choice" but to win.

While Maziya and Bengaluru FC will face off, Maziya had defeated Bengaluru FC in both legs of the qualifying playoff matches last year.

Speaking at the press conference prior to the match, Bengaluru FC’s coach, Marco Pezzaiuoli stated that the team will not be taking heed on the results of their previous matches with Maziya, as they prepare to go head-to-head with Maziya. He added that the game can be played with no pressure and that he wishes for the match to end with three points for Bengaluru FC.

Pezzaiuoli further said that four matches had been played over the course of nine days, due to which complications were faced as one of the team’s vital players had also been injured.

He mentioned that while he was not completely satisfied with the teams results after he was appointed as the coach, he believes that the team has come a long way in terms of their past performances.

The match between Bengaluru FC and Maziya will kick off at 9pm, Tuesday.