Analysing the Maldives squad ahead of the SAFF Championship 2021

The hosts will look to defend their title in what looks to be the last tournament for many senior players.

After getting the hosts' status following Bangladesh's withdrawal, Maldives have more than just one reason to be optimistic about defending their SAFF Championship title. While the crowds getting back in the stadium will definitely be a booster, the real point of strength starts with the balanced line-up that they possess this time around.

Following the successful SAFF Championship campaign in Bangladesh three years ago, not much has changed personnel-wise, in the starting line-up and the overall Maldives squad. While Ali Suzain replacing Martin Koopman at the helm in the last minute might have demanded speeding up the adaptational works, the squad looks tight and ready to go all out once again.

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As the hosts begin their campaign against Nepal on October 1, here's an analysis of the Maldives squad, and what can be expected from them.

Goalkeepers

Ali Suzain's side have three custodians named for the biennial tournament. Experienced campaigners Mohammed Faisal and Mohamed Shafeeu will be joined by United Victory FC's 21-year-old Ali Najih. However, there is doubt over who will be between the sticks.

Club Eagles' Faisal will be the favorite to guard the Maldivian goal. Standing at 1.71 meters, he is an experienced shot-stopper, and has been trusted since 2009 in the national team. More experienced and less error-prone than the rest two keepers, Faisal is expected be Suzain's pick for the tournament.

However, Shafeeu and Najih are decent deputies. It's highly unlikely that they will star in the tournament, yet they can cushion the side's title defence. Shafeeu is likely to get the edge over young Najih after featuring for Club Valencia frequently in the previous season.

Defenders

Defence is where the Maldivian set-up looks firm and almost set with a good mix of experienced and youth. Akram Abdul Ghanee, the 34-year-old skipper will be pairing up with his Club Eagles teammate Ahmed Nooman. Ghanee, who recently made his way from Club Valencia, has earned 64 caps for the national side so far. Transitioning his role from a defensive midfielder to a center-back, Ghanee's presence will be vital for Maldives' journey in SAFF Championship 2021.

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Nooman and Ghanee are likely to be accompanied by the likes of Hussain Sifau and Haisham Hassan in the wide areas. Both Sifau and Hassan are relatively young, and offer the energy to move forward and backward according to Suzain's tactics. A pairing of experienced centre-backs, complimented by young and energetic full-backs should work in the team's favour.

Samooh Ali and Gasim Sammaam are the only two spare defenders called up for the tournament, further hinting Suzain's reliance over the above-mentioned four players.

Midfielders

Seven midfielders make up the 24-men Maldives squad for this year's SAFF Championship. Experienced Ashad Ali will be joined by Mohamed Umair, Ibrahim Aisam, Hussain Nihan, Hamza Mohamed, Ismail Eesa and Ibrahim Waheed Hassan in the middle of the pitch. However, there are two names that stand out and make up a strong case in the squad.

35-year-old Ashad Ali will be on duty with in his preferred defensive midfielder role, screening the cenrer-back pairing. Despite being in the last stretch of his career, Ali has shown that he is still capable to hold his own. In addition, his strength and ability to read games add up to his already good resume. Maziya's Mohamed Umair will handle the midfield duties from the left side. At 33, the midfielder is capable of distributing the ball forward. This is where Maldives will look to progress from more often.

Due to the presence of several forwards who can start from the midfield and then advance forward, Maldives will look to play Ibrahim Mahudhee and Mohamed Naaim from the midfield. Naaim, an attacking midfielder, is likely to operate as a 10. Mahudhee will start from the right and look to tuck inside.

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Forwards

On paper, the Maldives squad boasts the most experienced forward line of this tournament. Led by one of South Asia's most prolific forwards in Ali Ashfaq - all eyes will be on the potential ruthlessness that they will display. Alongside Ashfaq, Hassan Raaif Ahmed, Mohamed Naaim, Ibrahim Mahudhee, Assadhulla Abdulla, Ali Fasir, Naaiz Hassan, and Ali Haisham are contending for the starting spot.

Left-winger Ali Fasir has garnered a lot of praise in the recent years, with his abilities to both create and score at the same time. This time around, however, Ashfaq's return will mean that he'll adopt a creating role. With his the poaching instincts, Fasir's spot in the line-up is more defined.

Ashfaq's push will also put Naaim's role in importance. The 24-year-old has displayed promise of operating in spaces after getting his first call-up in 2019. Despite having just seven appearances for the national team, the attacking midfielder has been a regular in club football for long. He currently leads the lines at Club Eagles. The forward line, with Naaim, Ashfaq, Mahudhee, and Fasir is probably the one that Suzain will opt for and try to maintain throughout the title defense.

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