Maldives Coach Petar Segrt has called up three players from the Maldives Under 19 squad that won the third place in SAFF Under 18 Championship.

In addition to Foakaidhoo striker Hassan Nazeem Gassim(Choatu) who is already capped for Maldives, Segrt called up Ibrahim Saavee of Club Eagles and Victory's Ahmed Nahil Ibrahim.

The three Maldives starlets were instrumental in their third place finish in the SAFF Under 18 Championship, first Maldivian junior team to do so in history. Maldives beat Bhutan 1-0 in the third place match after losing to eventual winners India in the semi-finals.

Under 19 captain Choatu is a key player for the Northerners Foakaidhoo while Nahil is a regular starter for Victory Sports Club. Eagles young defender Ibrahim Saavee who scored against Syria in the AFC Under 19 Championship qualification is yet to make the Eagles squad. 

Foakaidhoo striker Choatu and teammate Nahil are cousins. Choatu comes from a football family, with three brothers all representing Maldives at junior levels, the youngest, Choatu is the first to break into the senior national team winning a cap against Guam in the World Cup qualifying match.

The three youngsters joined with the Senior National team at Dubai after SAFF Under 18 Championship and AFC Asian Under 18 Cup qualifying games. Maldives senior national team traveled to Dubai after a short training camp in Saudi Arabia. The senior national team also performed the Islamic lesser pilgrimage of 'Umra' during their trip to Saudi Arabia.

Photo: Facebook | Football Association of Maldives