Ali Suzain, who has been guiding the national football team, has said that the League Cup 2025 organized by the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) will benefit the upcoming matches of the national football team. It has been decided to entrust Suzain, an experienced coach who previously held the position, to guide the national team in the match against Timor-Leste in June for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and in the friendly match against Singapore in preparation for that match.
A three-month contract was announced to find a coach for the national team due to the SAFF Championship football tournament and Asian Cup qualifiers next month. However, with the postponement of the SAFF Championship to next year, FAM has decided to abandon the idea of finding a new coach on a short contract and proceed with the upcoming two matches without hiring a new coach. In a special interview given to the state media “PSM News” regarding the start of the League Cup, experienced football coach Suzain said that this is an opportunity for players while the Maldivian football season has not yet started amidst concerns.
“Playing football will not cause any harm. However, clubs that do not participate have no opportunity. There are national team matches in June. Playing in a tournament will bring advantages,” said Suzain. Noting that the League Cup ends on the 28th of this month, Suzain said that with the national team scheduled to play a friendly match in Singapore next month, and then travel to Thailand, the period between the end date of the League Cup and the dates the national team needs to depart for these matches is very close. “The period is very close. There will be difficulties in preparation. That’s because we will have to gather all the players and leave after only about four or five practices. So it is believed that the coach will face that difficulty,” Suzain said.
He also noted that if there are changes to the national team squad after the League Cup, changes will need to be made to how the national team has been playing before, and this would greatly reduce the opportunity for the coach. While five clubs compete in the League Cup football tournament, many national team players also play in this tournament. The clubs competing in this tournament include the most recent Maldivian champion Maziya Sports & Recreation, TC Sports Club, Odi Sports Club, and second division teams New Radiant Sports Club and Mahibadhoo Sports Club.
The final match of the League Cup will be on the 28th of this month. FAM has arranged for spectators to enter free of charge for each match in this tournament, which is being held at the National Football Stadium. This tournament is being conducted with great support from the Ministry of Sports to FAM. The football tournament was introduced under the name of League Cup and started because the Maldivian football season had not begun and was prolonged, causing losses to clubs and players, with the purpose of providing a competitive tournament for the clubs. FAM now plans to start the Maldivian football season in August under the guidance of FIFA and AFC.
