National team heads to Singapore for friendly ahead of Asian Cup qualifier
Maldives senior national football team embarks on a pivotal journey, facing Singapore in an international friendly before their Asian Cup qualification clash against Timor-Leste. Guided by renowned coach Ali Suzain, the squad exudes determination and spirit, fueled by rigorous preparations and recent league triumphs.
National team players before they left for the international friendly against Singapore
The Maldives senior national football team has departed for Singapore to play an international friendly ahead of their Asian Cup qualification game.
The national football team will face Timor-Leste in the Asian Cup qualifications on June 10. Before that, they will play an international friendly against Singapore. The national team left for Singapore on Tuesday.
After playing against Singapore, the national team will travel to Australia to face Timor-Leste in the Asian Cup qualifications. The match is set to be played in Australia because there is no stadium in Timor-Leste that meets FIFA standards.
Before facing Timor-Leste in the Asian Cup qualifications, the national team has also conducted training sessions in the Maldives. Renowned coach Ali Suzain will guide the national team in both the Singapore game and the Timor-Leste game.
Before departing for Singapore, head coach Suzain told the media he was satisfied with the team’s preparations. He noted that many players had recently competed in the FAM League Cup and added that the squad showed strong spirit during the national team’s training sessions following the tournament.
In the Asian Cup qualifications, the Maldives' first match was against the Philippines. While the Maldives lost that match, the second match against Timor-Leste is also being played away from home.
In the third match of the Asian Cup qualifications, the Maldives will face Tajikistan on October 9. They will play the second leg against Tajikistan on October 14.
After that, on November 18, they will play the second leg against the Philippines, and the final match, the second leg against Timor-Leste, is set for 31 March 2025.
