Sri Lankan coach praised Maldivian fans' fierce support

Sri Lankan coach Abdullah Al Mutairi praised the welcoming cheers and fierce support Maldivian fans had for their national football team during yesterday's game.

Many Maldivians who reside in Sri Lanka turned up for the first of two games Maldives is to face off against Sri Lanka in the South Asian Super Cup.

Mutairi has stated that even though the game was held on Sri Lanka's home turf, the amount of Maldivians were more in number, with their support and cheers being much louder.

"There were more Maldivian fans than there were Sri Lankan fans, and that's on our home turf," Mutairi said when asked about the negatives of the match.

"When we play on our own field at our own stadiums, it should feel as such."

However, he stated that the stadium had no Sri Lankan fan presence even though they were physically there, with the sound of Maldivian supporters echoing throughout the venue.

"The only thing we could hear were Maldivian fans cheering their team on. Our [Sri Lanka] supporters were just sitting and watching."

Kuwaiti national Mutairi said that that needs to change in their second match against Maldives.

The second match in the South Asian Super Cup will be held this coming Tuesday and will be held at Racecourse Stadium.

Mutairi said that with hard work, even yesterday's 3-0 defeat can be turned around.