Have respect for Maldives: Tajikistan coach

Tajikistan’s new national football team coach Goran Stevanović says he has respect for the Maldives as the two teams prepare to face each other in the Asian Cup qualifier today.

Stevanović, who previously coached Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations, was appointed last week after the dismissal of former head coach Gela Shekiladze, who once served as Maldives’ assistant coach.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Dushanbe, Stevanović told Tajik media:

“I will come out with respect for Maldives. But we are not afraid.”

Tajik media reported that the Serbian coach expressed confidence that Tajikistan would secure victory in today’s match.

Kick-off for today’s match is at 6 pm local time.

The Maldives national team, led by coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan), will play its second leg against Tajikistan on Tuesday.