Junior national football team travels to Lhaviyani atoll for training camp

Under 23 National Football Team has departed to Lhaviyani Atoll for a training camp in order to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifications scheduled for October.

The team departed for the camp to be hosted in Lh. Naifaru and Lh. Hinnavaru on Saturday and are to return on the 12th of September. The trails for the U-23 National Football team were held on August 23rd during which 27 players qualified to go on the camp. 

According to the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), the team is to play a total of five friendly matches against N. Kudafari, N. Holhudhoo, Lh. Naifaru, Lh. Hinnavaru and R. Meedhoo. While speaking on RaajjeTv’s ‘Kulhivaru File’ program, the Coach of the Under 23 National Football Team, Ali Suzain stated that a spot will be reserved in the team, for those who play well during the match.

Suzain was appointed coach of the Senior Football Team, in addition to the Junior Team by FAM. Therefore, Assistant Coach, Sobah Mohamed Ibrahim and Mohamed Shahid, are currently incharge of the Junior Team. 

The AFC Asian Cup Qualifications are scheduled to be held from 27 - 31 October. While Maldives who are in Group C are to play in Bahrain, the other teams in Group C include, Iraq and Afghanistan in addition to Bahrain.

It has been decided that the Junior National Team will camp in Bahrain for 10 days prior to the qualifications. Maldives' first match in the qualifications will be against Iraq on October 27, with the second match scheduled for October 29 against Bahrain. The U-23 teams final match of the group stage will be against Afghanistan on October 31.

While a total of 11 groups are to take part in the qualifications, the teams which achieve first place in each match will be given the opportunity to compete in the AFC Asian Cup. Furthermore, four teams with the best scores in second place will be given a chance to compete as well.