HA. Dhidhdhoo Sports Club coach Moosa Ibrahim has stated that most of the players on the team competing for the first time in the Dhivehi Premier League (DPL) are resort staff and that they get very few opportunities to practice together.
According to the experienced coach in Dhidhdhoo football, more than 50 percent of players on the team are employed at resorts. He said that they are able to get players for the team one day before the match or on the day itself.
"That is the challenge we face, more than 50 percent of players on our squad work at resorts. Not getting players to come to practice is also a difficult matter. We are getting players for the pre-match prior to match day," said Moosa while speaking during yesterday's press conference for today's match against Victory.
However, the effects of that disruption were not seen in their first league game. Dhidhdhoo beat Buru Sports 1-0 in the match they played on Saturday.
As per Moosa, Dhidhdhoo's coaching team makes preparations with a technical understanding while taking that obstacle into account. He highlighted the technical efforts within the coaching team's preparations for their match against Victory today.
At the beginning of the pre-match press conference, Moosa pointed out Victory's history and the club's strong squad. However, he assured Dhidhdhoo would not be scared.
"I give my assurance that Dhidhdhoo will show a different style of play in this match for Maldivian football. Dhidhdhoo will show that a team from the atolls is not afraid and are brave in facing off against historic First Division clubs at the Galolhu Stadium," said Moosa.
"But the results may change with the way the match goes. As I have said before, Dhidhdhoo will show Maldivian football a very different type of football."
Victory coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) said Dhidhdhoo's win in their first match will see a lot of trust in the team. He said Victory will feel that pressure.
"We have seen Dhidhdhoo's quality. We know it will not be easy. Dhidhdhoo will be greatly satisfied and a lot of trust will be placed in their players. The way the players played will instill a lot of trust when they come out to play in this match," said Mohan.
"These are things that will pile on match pressure for us. It was deeply satisfying for Dhidhdhoo to have gotten that result from the match. Along with their win, the way they played needs to be pointed out as well. They play very good attacking football."
