Maldives head coach Istvan Urbányi has defended his decision to name a relatively older squad for the senior national team, saying experience is key to shaping the next generation of players.
Urbányi, now in his third stint in charge, is set to lead the Maldives in their opening match against Timor-Leste this evening. His squad for the Asian Cup qualifying campaign has an average age of 32, the oldest in nearly seven years.
The coach has recalled several players who had been out of the national setup for some time, including some who previously played under him. He said their inclusion serves a specific purpose.
Urbányi said experienced players familiar with his philosophy would help pass on his style of play to the current squad.
“I wanted to show the new generation my style and how I want to do things,” he said. “I need the help of experienced players to demonstrate this in practice, rather than having them rely on what they’ve heard about my work.”
This month marks a busy period for Urbányi, who has overseen six matches, including five with the Under-20 national team — three in the ongoing SAFF Under-20 Championship and two friendlies against Singapore.
He said the fixtures allowed him to closely assess around 60 players. “It’s been important for identifying and recruiting new players,” he said.
Despite this, no players under 20 were included in the senior squad. Under-20 captain Mohamad Ilan Imran, along with Ethan Ibrahim Zaki and Ahzam Rasheed — all of whom have previously featured in the senior team — were left out.
Urbányi said the decision was made before the tournament but confirmed younger players would be given opportunities in upcoming competitions.
“I will give the Under-20 players a chance in the senior squad for the Four Nations Cup,” he said.
The Football Association of Maldives has announced the tournament as part of celebrations marking 75 years of football in the country. It is scheduled to take place in early June in Malé, with international teams expected to participate.
