Match against Palestine important opportunity for us: Sobah

The two matches played between both the Under-17 national football teams of Palestine and Maldives was an opportunity that was not available before, an opportunity both national teams of all groups wanted, said Maldives U-17 national football team coach Sobah Mohamed.

In preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Palestine and Maldives football teams played two friendlies against each other. The matches were played during Palestine training camp currently being held in Maldives.

The first match on Wednesday night saw Palestine beat Maldives with a score of 6-0, with Palestine winning the second game as well on Saturday, ending the match 3-nil.

Both the national teams of all age groups have not gotten the opportunity to play a friendly game against each other.

"This is an opportunity both national teams of all age groups want. I hope this is the start of that," said Sobah while commenting on the match.

"These are the types of matches that will relinquish fear," said Sobah.

"The other important thing is Maldives' team being able to play an open attacking game regardless of who we're playing against. This is the strategy we will maintain from the SAFF U-17 Championship onward."

Maldives did not have their most important forward in their lineup, Mohamed Ilan Imran, during the matches against Palestine. As the 16 year old has been called on to play for the senior team, he will be playing against Philippines on Tuesday for the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Sobah said that Ilan would not be playing in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers due to an upcoming exam.

Valencia's forward Aaidh who plays for the team will not be able to play in the qualifiers either due to an injury. 

The matches for the group that Maldives is in for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers will be held in Thailand.

Along with Maldives and Thailand, Turkmenistan and Mongolia are in the same group. The qualifiers will begin on Sunday.