Maldives under 19 national team has traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal to take part in the Under 18 SAFF Championships.

Maldives will play the competitions opening match against the hosts Nepal on the 20th of September. On 24th Maldives will play the second game against Bhutan. Nepal and Bhutan are favorites to go through in Group A based on previous SAFF 'age group' Championships. Maldives however pose a threat this year as they have been playing a lot of friendly matches against Dhivehi Premier League sides. In Group B, tournament favorites India will play against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Two nations from each group will qualify to the semi-finals before the grande finale on the 29th of September. 

Maldives has never reached the semi-finals of the SAFF junior tournaments. This year Maldives team has been remarkable under the leadership of Mohamed Shazly(Shaz). The head of the Coach Education department took over this season, playing friendly matches with senior teams giving his youngsters experience. Some of the high profile players in Maldives camp include Hassan Nazeem Gassim(Choatu) foakaidhoo FC striker who recently made his senior national team debut.

Maldives under 19 has been camping in Qatar since 11th of September in preparation for the SAFF Championship and AFC Cup Qualifiers.

Maldives under 19 will travel to Tajikistan immediately after to take part in the AFC Under 19 Qualification. In the AFC qualification, Maldives is drawn in Group C with Tajikistan, Syria and Lebanon.

Photo: Facebook | FAM