Shanmu, Fatte, Rahil, and Zimam have made it to the national futsal team

Four well-known football stars, Ali Shamal Abdullah (Shanmu), Mohamed Fasir (Fate), Ahmed Rahil Rashid, and goalkeeper Abdullah Zimam, have been named in the Maldives national futsal squad for the upcoming AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers.

The final squad, announced by newly appointed head coach Ahmed Niyaz (Niya), also includes prominent futsal and football names such as Ahmed Ayaz (Aya), Samin Mohamed Naseer, Ali Shiyah (Shia), Ismail Wajeeh (Vaje), Hussain Suhail (Soke), Huzaifat Rashid (Huze), Ishan Ibrahim (Sat), Mohamed Imran (Inmi), Ali Hafiz (Happe'), and goalkeeper Abdullah Naseeh.

The team will be managed by FAM ExCo member Mohamed Umair, with Mohamed Fuhaid (Todd) serving as assistant coach. The squad is scheduled to depart for Myanmar this morning, where Maldives will compete in Group H alongside Afghanistan and Myanmar.

The team plays Afghanistan on Saturday, followed by a match against Myanmar on Monday. The group winner qualifies directly for next year’s AFC Futsal Asian Cup, while the runner-up may also qualify by ranking among the top seven second-placed teams.

A versatile talent, Shanmu has previously represented the national football team. Starting as a substitute goalkeeper for Fuvahmulah’s Dhoodigan team in the Independence 50 tournament, he later transitioned into a standout defender with Eagles’ youth team. He’s also played for United Victory and was part of the Maldives squad in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers under Dutch coach Martin Koopman. Shanmu had also been included in the preliminary squad for the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.

A former standout for Eagles and All Youth Linkage (AYL), Faatte' made a strong return to the pitch after a leg injury kept him out of top-tier football for years. Though he rejoined Eagles in 2022, he didn’t play that season. However, he impressed in the second division with JJ Sports Club, and later starred in the Ninety-Plus Gold Cup, where Eydhafushi claimed victory and he was named Best Player of the Tournament. He also played a key role in the 2023 Golden Futsal Challenge and was named one of the Top 5 players in the Club Maldives Kings Cup this year.

One of the rising stars in Maldivian football, Rahil is a current member of the national football team. The nephew of GA. Dhevvadhoo’s Ahnaf Rasheed (Ahko), he made his senior debut in the FAM Second Division and helped Mas-odi Sports Club (now Odi Sports) win the title last year. Rahil also played a pivotal role in the Golden Football Challenge and was a part of the Jolly Maldives team that reached the semi-finals of the Club Maldives Kings Cup this year.

An experienced goalkeeper, Abdullah Zimam made his debut for HA. Kelaa in 2016 before joining New Radiant the following year. He was part of the national squad during the Asian Cup qualifiers under coach Darren Stewart. Zimam went on to play for Maziya and later for Super United Sports (SAS), helping them finish third in the 2023 Dhivehi Premier League. He’s also enjoyed recent success in futsal, winning tournaments with Wamco over the past two years despite a loss in the 2019 Club Maldives Cup final.

An experienced goalkeeper, Abdullah Zimam made his debut for HA. Kela in 2016 before joining New Radiant the following year. He was part of the national squad during the Asian Cup qualifiers under coach Darren Stewart. Zimam went on to play for Maziya and later for Super United Sports (SAS), helping them finish third in the 2023 Dhivehi Premier League. He’s also enjoyed recent success in futsal, winning tournaments with Vemco over the past two years despite a loss in this year's Club Maldives Cup final.

An experienced goalkeeper, Abdullah Zimam made his debut for HA. Kela in 2016 before joining New Radiant the following year. He was part of the national squad during the Asian Cup qualifiers under coach Darren Stewart. Zimam went on to play for Maziya and later for Super United Sports (SAS), helping them finish third in the 2023 Dhivehi Premier League. He’s also enjoyed recent success in futsal, winning tournaments with Vemco over the past two years despite a loss in this year's Club Maldives Cup final.