Practice performance to be considered in selection National Team players

National team coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) has emphasized that future call-ups to the Maldives national football team will be based on performance, including in practice sessions. He assured that every player will have a fair chance, as long as they prove themselves in training and competitive matches.

Mohan announced his first squad as coach for the upcoming two matches against Sri Lanka, scheduled for Saturday and Tuesday in Colombo. He noted that most of the players selected have not played in a domestic tournament for the past six years, due to the prolonged absence of competitive football in the country.

With many clubs now preparing for the new season, which begins this month, Mohan sees this as a turning point for both club and national football.

"There will be changes in the future. But this time, the national team is going without the benefit of tournament experience. Every player will get an opportunity moving forward," he said.

Mohan stressed that selection will not be influenced by a player's name or past fame, but rather their work ethic, current form, and performance in both club training and matches.

"In the future, I’ll select players based on how they perform in club practice and during league matches. I will consider all of these factors and consult with club coaches before making decisions," he added.

Following the Sri Lanka matches, the Maldives will next face Tajikistan in October as part of the Asian Cup qualifiers, a match that could reflect the changes Mohan plans to bring to the squad.