27 Nov 2009 - Maldives national team coach Istvan Urbanyi is not fully happy with the performance of his boys despite a solitary goal win over Malaysia yesterday. Urbanyi’s biggest concern when recalling the game was the missed chances.“I am partially happy with the result. Our main target was to win and not to concede a goal. I am happy we achieved that. But we should have scored more as we got a lot of open chances” Urbanyi said, speaking to maldivesoccer.com.
The hot weather was a big complaint from the Hungarian, who is so concerned with players’ fitness.
“The weather was terrible today. It was very hot and the players were feeling it”
“We started to play well, but we missed too many chances.”
Urbanyi made eight substitutions in the second half and Ahmed Thoriq (Tom) and Ali Ashfaaq (Dhagey) played most of the time in the game and were substituted very late in the game. He noted he wanted to give the duo more time on the pitch.
“I wanted to give more time to Tom and Ashfaaq. They need more match fitness and that was the reason I wanted them to play. They still need more games to play”
Maldives scored the lone goal from a penalty that was awarded as a result of a hand ball by the opponent defender. Urbanyi was also full of praise for the opponent side.“
They were a strong side. They played very quick passes and it was an attacking game. ”
Urbanyi noted that the win will lift players’ spirit ahead of the upcoming games.“
It’s a good feeling for the players and it would improve the self confidence. “Maldives will face Malaysia under 21 team on Sunday and will leave for Dhaka on December 1st. Maldives is placed in group A of this year’s SAFF championship with India, Nepal and Afghanistan.
