Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Male: Any premature thoughts of the AFC Cup Round of 16 have been put firmly on ice by Maziya Sports & Recreation coach Ali Suzain, with the Maldivians facing a must-win tie at home to Indian club JSW Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Five points behind their second-placed visitors in Group E, Maziya will be eliminated if they do not beat Bengaluru at Male’s National Stadium.
In their previous meeting at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in February, Bengaluru defeated Maziya 2-1, but Suzain is insistent his side are fully focused on their second encounter.
“We don't want to talk about the knockout stages now; we are concentrating only on our game against Bengaluru FC for the time being. Without winning this match we can't talk about the second round,” said Suzain, who will be without Bulgarian defender Zhivko Dinev for the crucial tie.
“Our defender Zhivko is injured and he won’t play in this match, but there are a few players who can fill the gap.”
“I'm sure we can get a good result against their team in this stadium.”
A draw, though, would be enough for Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood to secure progression for his club and the Englishman is confident that his team will be able to get the result the I-League champions require.
“We want to win the group, so we need to win this game. And at least a point will confirm a place in the second round. The outcome is in our hands and which is always good,” said coach Westwood, who will be without suspended defender Lalchhuan Mawia.
“I am happy with the performance of the team this year and we have lost just four games this season which is a good thing for the team.
“It’s going to be a tough game against Maziya and we have done a lot of homework on them, including watching the previous games of Maziya, and it won’t be easy by any means.”
Already eliminated from the knockout stages, Warriors FC coach Alex Weaver is adamant his side are looking to leave the competition with their heads held high by getting their first points of the competition after four straight losses.
In their way in Tuesday’s other Group E tie, though, are group leaders Persipura Jayapura who defeated Warriors 3-1 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in the opening round of fixtures.
“In the first game against Persipura, I thought we gave away two bad goals early and as a result, we gave the game away too,” said Warriors coach Weaver.
“We might not be doing so well in the group stage, but we come here wanting to be successful. Persipura will want to secure qualification but we also want to do well for ourselves and live up to our high standards.”
Last year’s semi-finalists Persipura, meanwhile, are undefeated in the continental competition thus far, and a win against Warriors, coupled with a Maziya victory over Bengaluru, would see them win the group.
“We must win in this match to be able to secure first position in the group,” said Persipura coach Oswaldo Lessa.
“I know that Warriors want to get points here, and we have to be aware of that. “So far we have had a good preparation in training and we are ready to win this match, especially as we’re playing in front of our own fans.”
Photo: WSG