The Asian football confederation has decided to conduct the AFC Cup Despite the Maldives’ plea to postpone the competition due to rising COVID-19 cases. ATK Mohun Bagan will face Maldives side Maziya FC in AFC Cup Group Stage match on 17th May.
Unknown sources can confirm that Maldives FA had initiated talks with AFC. For the cancelation of the AFC Cup matches of group D. Because of the rise in COVID cases in the Maldives. Ahmed Mahloof who is the in-charge of Maldives’ Minister for Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, has confirmed the news on social media.
Maldives is witnessing a sharp rise in the COVID cases after mid-April , on April 16 the country have registered 82 cases. Along with a seven-day average of 84 cases per day. The situation since then have worsened only with 725 new cases registered on May 5. Due to this situation Maldives FA wants AFC to postpone the matches till everything is fine.
ATK Mohun Bagan’s concerns over the competition
ATK Mohun Bagan are in doubt when it comes to the involvement of Foreign players in the League because of the pandemic. This also includes coach Antonio Lopez Habas and his coaching staff. Key players like Roy Krishna, and David Williams are also likely to miss the action.
Fiji has ordered a Nationwide lockdown which makes Roy Krishna’s chances of arrival very slim. Williams is also likely to miss the matches because Australia has banned incoming flights from India. On the other hand, Arindam Bhattacharya is also likely to miss the flight to the Maldives as his mother is diagnosed with COVID in Kolkata.
The Mariners will go under the COVID-19 test in a private hospital located in Kolkata on May 7 before traveling to the Maldives. The Indian coaches and staff will travel along with the Mohun Bagan team. Tiri will remain in the squad for the AFC Champions League. But nothing is decided until the final squad is announced.
Bengaluru FC off to Maldives
Bengaluru FC are set to play against Maldives club Eagles on May 11. Have left for the Maldives today after spending a week in the bio-bubble at Goa.
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