Maziya's game important for Maldivian football: Luisma

Maziya Sports and Recreation Club coach Luisma Hernández has said that their upcoming qualifying game tomorrow for the AFC Challenge League is important for Maldivian football.

They will be facing off against Kuwait's Al-Arabi SC.

This will be the first senior football match they've played in a year and a half on Maldivian soil. The match will take place at the National Stadium. Luisma sees this match as important during a time of great challenges in Maldivian football.

This will be Luisma's first official game as the coach of Maziya. He was appointed as coach in January of this year.

"This is an important match for Maldivian football. FAM is also operating under new leadership. We can win this match if we come together as one," said Luisma, who used to work at the Kuwaiti league.

He admits that he has a lot of responsibility to help Maldivian football, as there are quite a number of national players in Maziya.

Maziya faced off against Al-Arabi in last years AFC Challenge League group stage held at Kuwait. Maziya lost all games in the group stage.

"(In light of those matches) We talked about how we can defend and how we can attack. I explained these details to them. I believe they have improved compared to last year," stated Luisma.

"But we have to be cautious. If a goal enters enters easily, it will be very difficult for us."

Luisma said that Al-Arabi has the advantage over them, due to their large budget and strong players. But he has high hopes that the work him and the team have done within the last 8 months or so will show results.

"If we can put up a good defense, then I have hope. I am quite confident in that," said Luisma.