National Team departs to Japan for training camp

The Maldives National Team has departed for Japan today, where they will participate in a 10-day training camp ahead of the SAFF Championship in Bangalore, India.

The SAFF Championship will kick off in India on June 21st, with the Maldives National Team expected to arrive in India on June 15th.

The Final Squad of the national team consists of 23 players.

Before their departure. Manager Abdulla Shibau spoke to the press and stated that the team is working on bringing smiles to their fans and supporters.

Shibau highlighted that the squad is consisting of younger players this time since Coach Francesco Moriero is planning to prepare for both the World Cup Qualifiers as well as the Asian Cup.

The SAFF Championship kicks off on June 21st and will continue till July 4th in Bangalore, India.

The Maldives National Team is currently practicing for the championship. A total of eight teams are participating in the championship this year, which includes six teams from SAFF and two foreign teams. Maldives, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan are the participating teams from SAFF.

Lebanon and Kuwait are participating in the championship by invitation, in order to increase the quality and stakes this year.

Speaking to One Online, FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel noted that the only target assigned to Maldives Coach Francesco Moriero is lifting the trophy, adding that there is mounting pressure from just how much Maldivians want the trophy.

The 23-player squad consists of:

- Samooh Ali (Maziya)

- Ahmed Nooman (Maziya)

- Hussain Shifau (Maziya)

- Ibrahim Aisam (Maziya)

- Haisham Hassan (Maziya)

- Hassan Raif (Maziya)

- Hussain Nihan (Maziya)

- Hassan Shifaz (Maziya)

- Hamza Mohamed (Maziya)

- Hussain Shareef (Maziya)

- Naiz Hassan (Maziya)