Segrt has spoken of Ali Ashfaq's(Dhagandey) omission from the National team. 

Talking to the press after the poor performance against Sri Lanka, National team head coach Petar Segrt has spoken of Ashfaq's inadequate goal scoring ability in this level. "the last time he (Dhagandey) scored for the National team is in 2016, that’s too long for a striker" he said. Segrt also claims that even though Dhagandey is scoring in the league, it is not the same in International level. 

Dhagandey is currently SAFF's all time top scorer. Dhagandey is also in the Top Ten active International goal scores lists which includes the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi.

Segrt has often commented on Dhagandey's age. The 33 year old Maldivian Legend is less than a year older than the current captain Akram Abdul Ghani (Aku) and Mohamed Arif(Baka) who played against Sri Lanka. Segrt previously said that he will select those players whom he thinks can do a job for Maldives, whatever the age maybe be. Conflicting comments on the only Maldivian player who can draw in  significant crowds to the stadium has effected the support for the National team.

Dhagandey has been in excellent form this season finishing the Male league as the top scoring and securing the league title for New Radiant. Since his move to TC Sports, TC is in the lead in the Premier League and Dhagandey is again at the top of the scoring charts. This is nothing new, since his return from Malaysian top flight, where he excelled. Dhagandey was also selected as the best foreign player in Malaysia top flight. After moving back to the Maldives, he won the League with Maziya, before moving to New Radiant and winning the league for new Radiant. Dhagandey remains the most expensive player in the Maldives with no one anywhere near him. 

Ashfaq is not the only player that has been dismissed by the Croatian tactician. Previously captain Assad Ali(Adubarey)was dismissed. The captain was suddenly omitted although he has been in excellent form for his club Green Streets in the Dhivehi League this year. Assad Ali known for his audacious penalty in the Asian Challenge cup through out Asia. Segrt also sacked Mohamed Umair from the squad few days before the SAFF Championship, claiming he was injured. Sources close to the player though claims it is totally untrue.

The last meeting between Maldives and Sri Lanka saw Maldives win by a 10-0 margin with Dhagandey scoring 6 goals. 

Photo: ImagesMV