National team have both "home pressure" and "home advantage": Mohan

National team coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) has stated that the Maldivian team faces both "home pressure" and "home advantage" as they prepare for the match against Tajikistan.

Tomorrow afternoon's clash against Tajikistan at the National Football Stadium, as part of the Asian Cup qualifiers, will be the Maldivian team's first home match in two years. The last time the national team played a match at the Galolhu Stadium was in October 2023, during the first leg of the World Cup qualifier playoff round against Bangladesh.

Mohan commented that as the national team takes to the field at Galolhu Stadium tomorrow after two-years; both advantage and pressure are present in equal measure. He explained that both a "home advantage" and "home pressure" are inherent when playing on home turf.

"This is not about making excuses. I am simply explaining the reality of the situation," the experienced coach stated.

He elaborated that pressure is to be expected when playing the first home match after a two-year period.

"When playing a home match, some people might wonder what pressure there could be. No. It doesn't work that way. Home pressure is a real thing. Home advantage is also a real thing," Mohan clarified while speaking at the pre-match press conference.

"...The reason it becomes a pressure is that after not playing at Galolhu Stadium for so long, the confidence and these factors when you come into the [match] can turn into pressure. This involves the players gaining confidence and so forth. That pressure will be there regardless."

However, he added that if the Maldivian supporters stand with the national team, it will provide a great source of encouragement.

Mohan, who has worked under various experienced foreign coaches as a national team assistant coach, said they are working to prepare the players mentally for the situation.

"God willing, the players are in a very good state," Mohan added.

The Maldivian team was defeated 2-0 in the first-leg match played in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

Midfielder Ibrahim Aisam (Tony) will be unavailable for tomorrow's match, as he is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.

Mohan confirmed that some changes will be made to the team to compensate for Aisam's absence.

The match is scheduled to kick off tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 PM.