Players physically not fit - Popov

Mar 27, 2015 - 01:23:56 | Mohamed Firash
National team coach Veliza Popov

Male', MALDIVES - Maldives coach Velizar Popov has said that the biggest issue was the physical fitness of the players when they played against Tajikistan.

As some teams has not yet started practice for the season most players are not fit for a tough opponent like Tajikistan.

“We were not prepared physically. This was the biggest problem today. Obviously we are not ready for this game. If we are not ready we cannot play against teams like this. Because physically they were better than us” Popov said after the defeat against Tajikistan
.

He also noted the issue of absence of important players for this match. However, he believes that the team will be much better in June when all the players are fit.

“Always this team is different without Ashfaaq, without Sentey even without Oppo. The most creative players here. When the players get better physical fitness, in June things will look different.” Expressed his concern over the injury issues of important players.

Popov was happy for the performance displayed by the players. But he noted that as the players were not fit it will result in mistakes from players.

“Everyone try to give me the best. I don’t get any complain about the players. But in football you must know that when you are tired it’s normal to make mistakes” Popov said about the performance of the players
.

Popov said that he didn’t use Ashfaq in last night’s game as he don’t won’t to risk him as he was not 100% fit.

“We discussed together because I trust him, I don’t won’t to risk him. Because he is not 100% fit. He cannot make shot, he cannot make sprint. What will he play? especially against this very physical opponent" Popov explained the reason why he didn’t use Ashfaq in the match.

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Imma on Mar 27
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This physical fitness issue: coach after coach is appointed and they all talk about this. Isn't it time that something is done about this? Perhaps clubs should hire a physical trainer and nutritionist to their payroll and ensure that players are looking after themselves properly. Maybe deduct from their salary if they are not making the effort? I don't know, something needs to be done. But it's good that we lost this match, because know Popov knows our weaknesses a lot better than he did. He would know that certain players who played last night are not good enough to be part of the national team anymore.
Twelve on Mar 27
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The statement that some teams have not started practices affecting the physical fitness of the national team is a big joke. Most of the national team players are from Maziya and New Radiant who have started practices way back and have played competitive AFC matches!!! The weak point is that players picked were poor - Shafiu, Akram, Riley were notable. Beats me how the coach picked Akram to play in the midfield. He can't dribble and is not creative enough to be in the midfield...
Napp on Mar 28
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We lost due to Poor Selection of the team.
footballmad on Mar 27
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In addition to the fitness issue skillswise, firstly, it's quite obvious that our players at this point in time are not capable of having a good shot at goal; The shots were rare and mostly wayward and off target. In the 3 national team and club matches, our first team defenders have made incredible silly mistakes such as not clearing the ball out of the penalty area. Perhaps, we need a no-nonsense defender like Victory's Jooley from the 1980s. I find it incredible we'll have to go into the WC qualifying without a further international match. Never mind the worldcup ranking, to go into a big arena like WC qualifying, we need to have played a competitive match when all the players are injury free and fit. Most importantly, we've got to bag a win in front of the home crowd to boost the team's confidence. Now that we have played a stronger opposition, I think there's a place for playing a weaker opponent so that the coach and the players can confidently put their strategic moves and game play into practice.
Eleven on Mar 30
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I do not agree with you Coach. Please elaborate your point rather than pointing out a LAME excuse. Physical fitness is not an issue as NRSC and MAZIYA players comprises of the majosty of the squad who has been involved in PEOPLES CUP and AFC Cup. So rather than saying physical fitness please give us another reason How I see it is the team is physically fit but rhather TACTICALLY NOT FIT.

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