Maldives withdraw from AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Maldives were pitted against India in Group G

In a disappointing turn of events for football in Maldives, the national under-23 team has been forced to withdraw from the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in China due to severe financial constraints Hussain Jawaz the General Secretary of Maldives Football Federation confirmed.

A press release circulated by MFF read, “This is to inform of the unfortunate situation that has arisen regarding our travel plans of Under 23 National Team.

We had diligently raised the required funds for this trip with the expectation of receiving additional financial support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment. Details of the air-ticket quotations of all youth teams tournaments were shared with Ministry on 7th August 2023 with reference to the procedural and agreed support to national teams travel for international travel.  However, despite our best efforts we managed to raise the amount without the support of the Ministry while we could not get seats as per the late date of travel.

We did work with All India Football Federation to postpone the matches and given the short time frame it was not agreed as the whole schedule postponement was requested by India. Hence, regrettably inform that we have officially withdrawn from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 Qualifiers. “

Maldives were all set to face India in an opening encounter  in Group G.  However, the match is unlikely to go through. The official announcement of the withdrawal from the Asian Football Confederations is awaited.  

Meanwhile, Indian football team have reached China and are ready to compete for a place in AFC U-23 Asian Cup under the tutelage of Clifford Miranda after the controversy of club vs country where few ISL Club refused to release players for preparatory camp.

Sivasakti Narayanan has been named the captain of the side for the Qualifiers

Head Coach Clifford Miranda maintained that his team’s focus after the match was cancelled, he remained the same despite the change in schedule. "Nothing changes for us; we have to do the same things that we would have done with the Maldives. We still have to do our best and play to our maximum potential," said Miranda. 

Miranda also said, "The good part is that we get a few days of training together as a complete team. Also, the boys will get time to rest and recover, both physically and mentally, after an extremely long and tiring journey to China.

"Playing against the Maldives would’ve provided us a good opportunity to find our rhythm before facing China and UAE. Let’s face it, among the three, the Maldives were the least dangerous opponents and would’ve been a good starting point for the team to prepare for the other two."