Suzain to coach National Team for next two matches

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has decided not to proceed with appointing a new head coach for the national team following the postponement of the SAFF Championship, which was originally scheduled for next month.

FAM had recently opened applications for a three-month coaching role to lead the Maldives senior team during the regional tournament. Among the candidates were current head coach Ali Suzain, former FAM technical director Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan), and former women's national team coach Mohamed Nizam.

However, Ismail Siman, a member of the FAM Normalization Committee, stated that with the postponement of the SAFF Championship, the hiring process is now on hold.

“The announcement was made because SAFF Championship was to be held at the time. However, now that the tournament has been postponed, we are not necessarily hiring a coach as announced,” Siman told reporters.

Maldives is set to play Timor Leste on June 10 in their second match of the Asian Cup qualifiers, with a friendly match against Singapore scheduled for June 5 as part of their preparations.

“For these two matches ahead, we are thinking that there is no need to change the coaching team,” Siman said.

“So the national team will play with the old coaching team. That is our thinking.”

Suzain, who took over as head coach in October 2023, will continue to lead the team.

His assistant coaches includes Ahmed Shakir (Shakittey), Ahmed Shuzair, Mohamed Adam, and goalkeeping coach Hassan Hameed.