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Preview: Match Day 9 - Will TC Remain 4 points Clear?
Will TC remain 4 point clear? They are up against Foakaidhoo. Eagles meanwhile plays a resilient Nilandhoo side. New Radiant verses Green Streets would probably be the pick of the week. This week's schedule see's the second placed New Radiant up against 5th placed Green Streets. Though three places apart, New Radiant only has a point more than Green Streets. We also have TC Sports' clash against Foakaidhoo who did well against Maziya. Lets look at the week's fixtures.
Match 1: Maziya V Fehendhoo
16th October, 16:00
Maziya need a win to keep the pressure on the top of league as all the top five are very close together. Maziya struggled against Foakaidhoo in their last game, but they will surely address that and will come out stronger. Fehendhoo needs to win to have any chance of staying in the league. This could well be their last game of the season.
Players To Watch: Ismail Easa nicknamed Messi is arguably the most creative player in Maldives at the moment. Give him space and he will create havoc in the opposition defense with sharp through passes or his cool finishing.
Former Maalhos and TC Sports player Ali Hafiz(Haappe) has only shown glimpses of his true self this season, however with a lot at stake for Fehendhoo, we might just see the best from the dribbler who isn't afraid of taking on big defenders.
Our Prediction: 2-0 to Maziya
Match 2: Eagles V Nilandhoo
17th Oct, 16:00
Third placed Eagles has had an excellent run in the Premier League so far this season. They have scored ten goals in two games and will look forward to catching up with New Radiant on goals scored as they are level on points with the second placed former champions. Nilandhoo meanwhile conceded 23 goals on 8 games so far this season. Since the appointment of their new coach, Adam Abdul Latheef (Lacchey), Nilandhoo has been a totally different side. Nilandhoo only conceded two goals in their last two games. We believe Eagles be too strong though, with Ahmed Rizvan(Rizey) on form, it will be hard to stop Eagles.
Players to watch: Rizey leads the top goal scorer charts ahead of the likes of Sentey (Ali Fasir) and Dhagandey (Ali Ashfaq) and has been in top form. It would take something special to keep the Maldives International out.
Ibrahim Furugan (Fugey) has dictated play for Nilandhoo recently. His leadership in the center will be crucial for Nilandhoo.
Our Prediction: 4-0 to Eagles
Match 3: New Radiant V Green Streets
17th Oct, 21:00
Make or break time for New Radiant. This is probably their biggest game of the Premier League so far. Four points behind TC Sports New Radiant needs to win to keep the pressure on TC. On the other hand, if the fifth placed Green Streets beat New Radiant, they will overtake New Radiant in the league standings. Anything less than a win will be disastrous for New Radiant. For Green Streets they will be looking to inflict pain on the defending champions to move higher up the table.
Players to Watch: Ali Fasir (Sentey) second in the top scorer's chart, he came off the bench to rescue New Radiant last time out. Sentey is one of the most prolific strikers of this generation.
For Green Streets, Ahmed Rilwan(Riley) likely to come off the bench to create problems for the blues. Riley has so often come on late to change games. The experienced winger can change games on a good day for him.
Our Prediction: 1-1
Match 4: Victory V Thimarafushi
18th Oct, 16:00
For Thimarafushi this will be their last chance to get something from the league. A win over the Maldivian giants would create history for Thimarafushi. Sadly off the pitch problems have diminished the Minivan Championship winners' spirits. Victory on the other had has appointed Mohamed Nazeeh as coach and are on the way to recovery. A win will be crucial for Victory to leap over Foakaidhoo and Nilandhoo in the league standings.
Players To Watch: SAFF Championship winner Hussain Nihaan(Niheart) has been in excellent for this season. A call up to the National team no doubt has boosted his confidence, the Victory number is Victory's player to watch in this weeks crucial game.
Adetunji Lawrence needs to be on his best to keep the likes of Ahmed Rasheed out. With this being Thimarafushi's last game, we expect the experienced goalkeeper to raise to the occasion.
Our Prediction: 3-0 to Victory
Match 5: TC Sports V Foakaidhoo
18th Oct, 21:00
TC needs to win these matches to stay at the top, a defeat would be unthinkable against Foakaidhoo who are sixth in the table. Foakaidhoo has lost both of the last games and is expected to keep defending against the league leaders. We can expect a very defensive game from Foakaidhoo to counter TC's strong attackers. With some of the best stickers in the country it will be hard for any team to stop TC Sports. Foakaidhoo although has enough quality to cause an upset.
Players To Watch: Third place in top scorer chart isn't where 'The King' would want to be in. Dhagandey (Ali Ashfaq) came off the bench to score two goals in TC's last game. It would be a huge job for Foakaidhoo defense to stop the iron man.
For Foakaidhoo Khalil Gamal returns after a one match suspension. Former TC left back has been playing a crucial role in Foakaidhoo as a secondary striker and he was missed in Foakaidhoo's defeat to Maziya. Moreover he would be eager to show his former club that they shouldn't have sold him.
This week could see a lot of changes in the top four of the Premier League. For the bottom two teams, it's farewell to the Premier League. This week could also see Victory back in the top six.
Photo: ImagesMV
16 October 2018