Ali Ashfaq returns to New Radiant after recovery

Maldives’ all-time best footballer, Ali Ashfaq (Dhagandey), has agreed to join New Radiant in the upcoming second division.

New Radiant's Facebook page teased the news yesterday evening with the cryptic message “coming! coming!”, hinting at a significant announcement to be made on Thursday. A photo in the post, though not revealing the identity, showed Ali Ashfaq.

According to “Mihaaru”, New Radiant plans to announce Ashfaq's joining on Thursday.

His return comes after recovering from a major knee surgery he underwent last September. He recently participated in a mini futsal tournament organised for the parents of Majeediyya School. Since the second division is expected to commence in September, Ashfaq is expected to be fully fit by then.

Last year, Ashfaq underwent the surgery after enduring a five-year battle with a right knee injury. The surgery addressed three critical issues, including damage to the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus of his knee.

At the time of the surgery, Ashfaq said his sole focus was on recovering and added that he would decide whether to resume playing after his recovery.

It is believed that Ashfaq, who is 39 years old, will play for a maximum of about a year, after which he is expected to retire.

Despite his injury, Ashfaq played in the SAFF Championship in Malé in 2021. However, his injury worsened in early 2022, preventing him from playing for Valencia after the season opener. He only played for the national team that year. To regain fitness, he trained with running coach Nasrulla Ahmed after that

In 2023, he also joined Super United Sports (SUS). However, he injured his knee again during the President’s Cup in April. New Radiant's plan to bring Ashfaq on board is part of their plan to get promoted to the first division. The team is also playing in the league cup organised by FAM, to gear up for the second division. Under Sonah Mohamed Ibrahim's guidance, New Radiant won three matches in the league, having only lost to Maziya.

New Radiant, one of the most successful football teams Maldives, was relegated to the second division due to financial issues, with Ashfaq being one of the players owed salary at the time. However, FAM lifted the 2023 high suspension after the club reached an agreement with the players, including Ashfaq, to pay the owed money. Despite competing in the second division for the past two years, they were unable secure promotion to the first division.

Ashfaq played for New Radiant on three separate occasions, achieving significant success. His first stint was from 2006-2007, followed by another from 2012-2013. He also played for them from 2017 to 2018. His most notable achievement came in 2013 when New Radiant reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup, won all matches of the season, and claimed all trophies.