Maldives national football team

This was the third edition of SAFF Cup which was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, and it was Maldives' first campaign in this regional tournament.

Maldives was placed in the group B with India and Bangladesh, where they advanced into the semi-final as the group's second team with two points in hand. They drew their first match against Bangladesh with the help of Lirugham Saeed's only goal. In the second match, they drew against the India 2–2, in which Ibrahim Rasheed and Mohamed Nizam came scoring when the Red Snappers were at a two-goal deposit.

Maldives went on to win the semi-final match 2–1 against Sri Lanka with Shah Ismail and Mohamed Nizam on the scoreline, but lost the final match to India by 5–1, where Adam Abdul Latheef scored the only goal for Maldives.

In this edition of SAFF Cup, hosted in Fatorda Stadium, Goa, India, Maldives were grouped with Nepal and Sri Lanka, where Maldives finished at the top of the group B.

First match against Sri Lanka ended as a goalless draw while they managed to win 3–2 against the Nepal. Shah Ismail, Mohamed Wildhan and Mausoom Abdul Gafoor scored the goals for Maldives in this match.

Maldives had to face the two times SAFF Cup champion India in the semi-final and lost the game by 2–1, where Mohamed Wildhan scored against the Blue Tigers. Though they failed to qualify for the Final of the tournament, they claimed the bronze by defeating Nepal in the third place play-off match by 2–0. Mohamed Wildhan and Mohamed Ibrahim were the goal scorers.

Mohamed Wildhan shared the top scorer award with Nepal's Naresh Joshi, India's Baichung Bhutia and Bangladesh's Mihazur Rehman scoring three goals each in this competition.

In the 2003 SAFF Gold Cup held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Maldives were drawn in the group B along with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Maldives won their first match 6–0 a record win of the highest number of goals scored by a team in a single match in this tournament history against Bhutan, with Maldives' first hat-trick in the regional tournament, scored by Ali Shiham. Mohamed Nizam, Ashraf Luthfy and Ali Umar scored one goal each in this victory. Despite the 1–0 loss to Bangladesh in the second match, Maldives won their third match against Nepal and they were through into the semi-final of the tournament as the group runners-up. Mohamed Nizam, Ashraf Luthfy and Ali Umar scored in their 3–2 win over Nepal.

Ibrahim Fazeel scored the only goal against Pakistan in the semi-final, which helped them to reach the final for the second time. Ali Umar's only goal in the second half helped Maldives to survive until the penalty shootout in the final match against Bangladesh, but Maldives lost 5–3 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium where Ahmed Naaz, Ismail Naseem and Ibrahim Fazeel succeeded to convert it from the spot but Ashraf Luthfy failed.

In 2005, the tournament was held in Pakistan and Maldives were drawn with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka along with the host Pakistan in group A.

Maldives started their campaign by breaking their own record created in the previous edition 2003, scoring a highest number of goals by a team in a single match. They won the first match 9–1 against Afghanistan. Ibrahim Fazeel and Ahmed Thoriq both scored a hat-trick while Ali Ashfaq scored a brace and Ali Umar scored their opener. They won their second match against Sri Lanka 2–0 with goals from Ali Ashfaq and Ali Umar, while they ended at the top of the group, leaving the host Pakistan in second even after the goalless draw against them in the final group stage match.

Even though Maldives lost the semi-final match against India by one goal to nil, the top scorer award was shared by three of the Maldivian players; Ibrahim hassan, Ali Ashfaq and Ahmed Thoriq scored three goals each.

The 2008 SAFF Championship draw, which took place on 26 February 2007, placed Maldives in group A, alongside Nepal, India, and Pakistan. Maldives started with a comfortable 3–0 win over Pakistan, with the goals from Mohamed Shifan, Ahmed Thoriq and an own goal from Naveed Akram.[4] In their second match they defeated Nepal 4–1, with two goals apiece from Ismail Mohamed and Ibrahim Fazeel.[5] They lost their last group stage match against India, 0–1.[6]

They advanced to the semi-finals and defeated Sri Lanka 0–1, with a brilliant goal by Ibrahim Fazeel on a pass from Ali Ashfaq. They then advanced to the final for the third time in SAFF Championship history.[7]

In the final three minutes of full-time during the SAFF Championship final against the four time SAFF Championship Champions India, Mukhthar Naseer scored a single goal from a corner kick taken by Ali Ashfaq, winning the SAFF Championship for Maldives for the first time in their history. Maldives won the SAFF Championship by scoring nine goals and conceding two.[8]

In 2008 SAFF Championship, Ali Ashfaq won the Best Player award. Maldives was the team who scored the most goals in this year's competition along with their rivals India. They were also the team who conceded the fewest goals in the tournament.

The SAFF Championship was Maldives first ever gold medal in Maldivian Football history, and to celebrate this memorable day the President declared that 15 June 2008 will be a public holiday. The only goal scored in the final match, by Mukhthar, was his first international goal for the Maldives national football team.

Maldives were drawn with the rivals India in group A, along with Afghanistan and Nepal.[9]

Maldives started their campaign as the defending champions, facing a 1–1 draw where The Gorkhalis did not allow the red snappers win the match with the only goal by Ahmed Thoriq. In their second match they defeated Afghanistan by 3–1 with two goals from Ali Ashfaq and one from Ahmed Thoriq. Their next match against rival India on 9 December was won by 2–0, Ahmed Thoriq and Ibrahim Fazeel scoring the goals which took them into the semi-finals as group A winners, finishing the group stage ahead of India.[10]

In the semi-final, they defeated Sri Lanka with a comfortable score line of 5–1[11] where Ibrahim Fazeel scored two goals and Ahmed Thoriq, Ali Ashfaq and Ashad Ali scored one goal each, but they lost 3–1 to eventual winners India from a penalty shootout in the final after playing 120 minutes without seeing a goal from either sides. Ibrahim Fazeel was the only player to score in the penalty shootout for Maldives while Ahmed Thoriq, Mukhthar Naseer and Ali Ashfaq failed to convert it from the spot.[12]

Ahmed Thoriq shared the top scorer award with Bangladesh's Enamul Haque and Sri Lanka's Channa Ediri Bandanage scoring four goals each in this competition.

This was the second time Maldives lost the SAFF Championship final in penalties, and Bangabandhu National Stadium was the venue on both occasions.

The 2011 SAFF Championship hosted in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi was the tournament with Maldives' worst result. Even though Maldives managed to qualify for the semi-finals as the group winner, Maldives ended their campaign with only one win, two draws and losing one game, scoring and conceding 5 goals.

Maldives were in the group B, drawn with Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. They drew 1–1 against Nepal with Ali Ashfaq's only goal and their second game against Pakistan ended goalless. Maldives finished the group stage with a 3–1 win over Bangladesh, with Ahmed Thoriq's brace and Ali Ashfaq's goal.

Maldives lost 3–1 to India in the semi-final, Shamweel Qasim scoring Maldives' only goal.

Maldives were drawn in the group B alongside Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

They started the group stage by renewing their record of scoring the most goals by a team in a single game; winning 10–0 against Sri Lanka.[13] In this match, skipper Ali Ashfaq scored a double hat-trick and broke the record of India's IM Vijayan who holds the record of all-time top scorer of the tournament with 12 goals.[14] He also made a new record of scoring the highest number of goals by a single player in a match in the tournament. Remaining goals of this match came from Assadhulla Abdulla, Hassan Adhuham, Ali Fasir and Ali Umar.

In their second match, Ali Ashfaq scored four goals and Ali Fasir scored a brace while Mohammad Umair and Ali Umar scored one goal each in the 8–2 win against Bhutan.[15] Maldives' third match of the group stage against Afghanistan ended goalless.[16]

However, Maldives faced India for a record fourth time in a semi final match of this competition, and never won a semi final match against them as Maldives lost 1–0 in this semi final match at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.[17]

Ali Ashfaq won the Golden Boot Award, scoring 10 goals in the competition.[18] He now holds the record of competition's all-time top scorer with 18 goals, and the player to score the highest number of goals in one SAFF Championship; 10. India's IM Vijayan was the previous player to hold this record, scoring 6 goals in the 1997 edition.

Maldives was drawn in a group with Sri Lanka and India. Maldives drew with Sri Lanka at 0–0 and lost to India 2–0. Due to Maldives and Sri Lanka having accumulated the same points a coin toss was held to decide which team will advance to the semi-finals against Nepal. Luck was in favor of Maldives as it won the coin toss and the match against Nepal by 3–0.

This meant that Maldives would once against compete with India in the finals. During the first half of the match Maldives player Ibrahim Mahudhee scored the opening goal and in the second half Hamza Mohamed makes an excellent threaded through pass that allowed Ali Fasir to score the second goal for Maldives. India's Sumeet Passi scored a consolation goal for India in extra time.

The match ended with Maldives as the victors of the 2018 SAFF Suzuki championship making them the second team in the competition to have ever won the Cup more than once. Maldives goal keeper Mohamed Faisal won the MVP award of the competition for his work between the sticks.

Maldives has never qualified for such big tournaments and often classified as a weaker team in the continent. Nonetheless, Maldives achieved several impressive results. During 2006 World Cup qualification, Maldives stunned by drawing South Korea, an Asian powerhouse, 0–0 at home; and defeating Vietnam, a rising Asian team, in the same ground with an impressive 3–0. However, its worst defeat also occurred in the World Cup qualification as they were thrashed 0–17 by Iran in Damascus during 1998 World Cup qualification.

All Maldives matches are broadcast with full commentary on Television Maldives and Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu Radio Live.

National Football Stadium (Dhivehi: ގައުމީ ފުޓުބޯޅަ ދަނޑު) is a multi-purpose stadium in Malé, Maldives. It is used mostly for football matches of the Dhivehi League, Maldives FA Cup, and International matches. The stadium holds around 11,850 spectators.[19]

About 11,500 Maldivian supporters, including the former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, attended to see the 2008 SAFF Championship final match in Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. After their win, many supporters, together with ministers, gave a warm welcome to the team on their return with their first gold medal. To celebrate this memorable day the President declared that 15 June 2008 will be a public holiday.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maldives national football team kits.

Maldives' home kit comprises a red jersey and red shorts – red is the national colour of the Maldives, and represents the boldness of the nation's heroes.

Kit supplier	Period
Adidas	2011–2015
Joma	2015–2019
Kelme	2019–present

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

• The following players were called up for the 2023 SAFF Championship match.[20]
• Match dates: 21 June 2023 – 4 July 2023
• Opposition:  Pakistan
• Caps and goals correct as of: 22 June 2023, after the match against  Bhutan.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Hussain Shareef	(1998-09-05) 5 September 1998	8	0	Maziya
18	1GK	Mohamed Shafeeu	(1988-07-22) 22 July 1988	0	0	Valencia
22	1GK	Ali Naajih	(1999-12-08) 8 December 1999	3	0	United Victory
2	2DF	Ali Samooh (Captain)	(1996-07-05) 5 July 1996	40	1	Maziya
3	2DF	Ahmed Numaan	(1992-11-10) 10 November 1992	24	0	Club Eagles
4	2DF	Hussain Sifaau	(1996-02-04) 4 February 1996	33	1	Club Eagles
14	2DF	Haisham Hassan	(1999-07-21) 21 July 1999	25	0	Maziya
15	2DF	Humaid Hussain	(2004-10-05) 5 October 2004	0	0	Club Eagles
16	3MF	Ahmed Aiman	(1998-03-23) 23 March 1998	0	0	Super United
19	2DF	Ahnaf Rasheed	(2001-11-21) 21 November 2001	1	0	Super United
20	2DF	Hassan Shifaz	(1992-08-11) 11 August 1992	8	0	Maziya
5	3MF	Mohamed Irufaan	(1994-07-24) 24 July 1994	14	0	Maziya
6	3MF	Ibrahim Usamaa Majeed	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998	0	0
8	3MF	Aisam Ibrahim	(1997-05-07) 7 May 1997	23	0	Maziya
10	3MF	Hamza Mohamed	(1995-02-17) 17 February 1995	58	6	Maziya
12	3MF	Nisham Mohamed Rasheed	(1999-01-31) 31 January 1999	0	0	TC Sports Club
13	3MF	Mohamed Nizam	(1994-06-11) 11 June 1994	0	0	Valencia
17	3MF	Ibrahim Mahudhee	(1993-08-22) 22 August 1993	34	5	Maziya
21	3MF	Ibrahim Waheed Hassan	(1995-11-15) 15 November 1995	18	6	Valencia
23	3MF	Hussain Nihan	(1992-07-06) 6 July 1992	29	1	Maziya
7	4FW	Ali Fasir	(1988-09-04) 4 September 1988	70	13	Valencia
9	4FW	Naiz Hassan	(1996-05-10) 10 May 1996	40	10	Maziya
11	4FW	Hassan Raif Ahmed	(1998-01-30) 30 January 1998	10	3	Club Eagles

The following players also received a call-up within the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Yoosuf Meesam Abdulla	(2003-09-09) 9 September 2003	0	0	Club Eagles	v.  Pakistan, 21 March 2023
GK	Hassan Aleef Ibrahim	(2001-10-02) 2 October 2001	0	0	Club Eagles	v.  Pakistan, 21 March 2023
GK	Iyan Abdul Aleem	(1994-01-29) 29 January 1994	0	0	Maziya	v.  Singapore, 17 December 2022
GK	Mohamed Faisal	(1988-08-04) 4 August 1988	35	0	Valencia	v.  Sri Lanka, 14 June 2022
DF	Ahmed Maish Rasheed	(2004-07-11) 11 July 2004	0	0	Free agent	v.  Pakistan, 21 March 2023
DF	Mohamed Umair	(1988-07-03) 3 July 1988	58	7	Maziya	v.  Singapore, 17 December 2022
DF	Akram Abdul Ghanee	(1987-03-19) 19 March 1987	81	3	Maziya	v.  Sri Lanka, 14 June 2022
MF	Hassan Sufianu	(1990-01-21) 21 January 1990	2	0	Valencia	v.  Pakistan, 21 March 2023
FW	Ahmed Bassam Naeem	(2001-01-17) 17 January 2001	2	0	TC Sports Club	v.  Pakistan, 21 March 2023
FW	Mohamed Sakhaau	(1997-10-27) 27 October 1997	1	0	Super United	v.  Pakistan, 21 March 2023
FW	Ali Ashfaq	(1985-09-06) 6 September 1985	98	58	Club Eagles	v.  Pakistan, 21 March 2023
MF	Ibrahim Aayan Imthiyaz	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000	0	0	Valencia	v.  Singapore, 17 December 2022
MF	Abdulla Yaameen	(2000-12-30) 30 December 2000	7	0	Valencia	v.  Sri Lanka, 14 June 2022
MF	Ahmed Hassan	(1995-07-06) 6 July 1995	1	0	New Radiant	v.  Sri Lanka, 14 June 2022

SAFF Championship record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1995	Withdrew
1997	Runners-up	4	1	2	1	6	9
1999	Third place	4	2	1	1	6	4
2003	Runners-up	5	3	1	1	11	4
2005	Semi-finals	4	2	1	1	11	2
2008	Champions	5	4	0	1	8	2
2009	Runners-up	5	3	2	0	11	3
2011	Semi-finals	4	1	2	1	5	5
2013	Semi-finals	4	2	1	1	18	3
2015	Semi-finals	4	2	0	2	9	9
2018	Champions	4	2	1	1	5	3
2021	Group stage	4	2	0	2	4	4
Total	Best: Champions	47	24	11	12	94	48

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.

***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

• AFC Challenge Cup
  • Third place (1): 2014

• SAFF Championship
  • Champions (2): 2018, 2008
  • Runners-up (3): 2009, 2003 ,1997
  • Third place (1): 1999
• South Asian Games
  • Silver medal (1): 1991
  • Bronze medal (1): 1984

• Nehru Cup
  • Third place (1): 2012