Maldives national football team coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) has expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance and morale despite a 3–0 defeat to Tajikistan in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The match, held at the National Stadium in Malé, was the Maldives’ first home game in the group stage, with the team yet to secure a point.

Speaking to the media after the match, Coach Mohan said the scoreline did not reflect the team’s overall performance. “I’m satisfied with the way we played. It’s not a game that should have ended 3–0. The goals came from small mistakes that we can fix with more experience and matches,” he said.

Mohan praised the team’s discipline and work ethic, noting that the players maintained organisation and defensive focus throughout the game. “We created some good attacking moments and worked hard. The attitude and teamwork were excellent,” he added.

He also thanked the home supporters for their strong presence and encouragement at the stadium, highlighting that their support helped boost the team’s energy on the pitch.

Acknowledging Tajikistan’s early goal as a decisive moment, Mohan said that playing more competitive fixtures would be crucial to building experience. He revealed that the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) is working to arrange friendly matches ahead of the team’s upcoming qualification fixtures.