Sukhi: We didn't want to take any risk

Wednesday, 09. December 2009 - maldivesoccer.com

After confirming a semifinal spot beating India 2-0 today, Maldives coach Istvan Urbanyi noted the performance of some of his key players.

He also said India and Maldives had two different types of football.

“As the Indian coach said their players put a splendid effort. Both teams were playing in a different style. They played an English football. They played a physical game and played long balls. We played using our skilful players. We created good chances and should have scored more goals.”

“I am fully happy with the performance of my players. They are trying to do what I ask them to do. They worked hard and pushed a lot of hard work. Thoriq (Tom), Arif (Bakaa), Shamveel (Bonda), Fazeel (Oppo), Ashfaaq (Dhagey), Mukthaar (Twokilo) played very well today. They improved their performance a lot.”

“Bakaa played a very professional game today. He did what I ask him to do and I am very happy with it.”

Thoriq was substituted early in the second half and coach expects he will be ready for the next game.

“Thoriq (Tom) got a knock and it’s not a muscle injury. So I believe he could play.”

Urbanyi was seen complaining to the fourth official regarding the decisions and when asked by maldivesoccer.com, he said he did not want to comment on it. But he noted that whenever he complained the fourth official said he was right.

“They tried to destroy Ashfaaq today. They made 274 fouls against us. When I complained to the fourth official he said I was right!”

Meanwhile India coach Sukhvinder Singh said they were without five of their first eleven players and added he is not concerned of their opponent in the semifinal.

“We played without five of our first eleven players. We were forced to make those changes in the starting lineup. Two of our players can’t play in the tournament any more. Manish and Jagpreet are out of the tournament. Other two players have a minor injury and we are hoping that they would be fit for the semi final. We did not want to take any risk.”

“We don’t mind to face any team in the semifinals. We played against Sri Lanka and even Bangladesh. So it would not be a problem for us.”

After Nepal's defeat against India, Nepal coach Thapa suspected politics will influence the result of Maldives and India game. But India coach said he simply can't think about that comment.

“I can’t think about the comments made by the Nepal coach. I never thought anything like that.”

Maldives skipper Ashfaq received his second yellow card of the tournament but according to the rules of the tournament the group stage yellow cards will not be counted in the knock out stage.

Maldives will face arch rivals Sri Lanka in the first semi final on Friday. Maldives and Sri Lanka met twice in the semi final of SAFF championship; first in 1997 which the Maldives side won by 2-1 and then last year Maldives overcame the Sri Lankans by 1-0 in front of their home crowd.

India beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the finals of both 1999 and 2005. But they met only once in the semi final so far, it was in 2003 where Bangladesh beat India 2-1 to enter the final and beat Maldives on penalties to lift the trophy.


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