National football team coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) has expressed confidence that the Maldives can put up a strong performance in their AFC Asian Cup Qualification match against Tajikistan, with the support of home fans playing a key role.

The match will take place tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. at the National Stadium in Malé, marking the team’s first home game in the qualifiers after three consecutive away fixtures. The Maldives previously suffered defeats against the Philippines and Tajikistan but will now have the advantage of playing on home ground.

At a pre-match press conference, Coach Mohan said the team was well-prepared despite the short turnaround between matches. He noted that while Tajikistan had shown strong form in previous competitions, the Maldives was mentally ready to face the challenge.

Mohan highlighted that the team has not played at the National Stadium for over two years, describing this as both a source of pressure and motivation. He emphasised that the backing of home supporters would have a major impact on the players’ performance and morale.

The coach also spoke about the broader goal of developing Maldivian football, noting that meaningful progress would take time but stressing his commitment to long-term improvement.

While one player will miss the match due to suspension, Mohan indicated that no major changes are expected in the squad. He reiterated his confidence that with strong fan support, the Maldives can achieve a positive result against Tajikistan.