When I hear the name of national team’s number one keeper Mohamed Faisal, I am reminded of a match in which New Radiant played against Victory Sports Club not too long ago. In that game, New Radiant’s goalkeeper Imran Mohamed (Imma) scored a goal with a kick from his own area. A horrendous day for Mohamed Faisal who was guarding the Victory net that day. After the match, Victory’s coach Ali Suzain said in disappointment, “That goal wouldn’t have gone in even if we kept a kid in diapers there.” After that Faisal was heavily trolled and nicknamed “Nappy Keeper” on social media.

In contrast to that day, Faisal is now known as one of the players who made the whole country proud due to his excellence performance in the last SAFF Championship held in Bangladesh. The player of the tournament was also won by Faisal who took the enormous responsibility of guarding the Maldivian net and helping the country get its second gold medal in football. Today everyone praises him.

The player who played for the blues last season was rumoured on being unsure about his future club. According to some media reports South Asia region’s best player has no club to play for. Following up on this rumour we (Boalha.mv) met up with Mohamed Faisal in order to bring his story.

Talking to Boalha.mv Faisal said that there have been talks with few clubs but there haven’t been any official talks with any club. Referring to the football playing percentage of the country, the number of professional goalkeepers produced are very less. The opportunities these few keepers get is also very less. Most local clubs bring foreign keepers in order to strengthen their squad. But this decreases the opportunities for local goalkeepers to be produced and trained. Due to this, FAM has decided to bring changes to their rules regarding foreign players next year. The new rules will not allow foreign goalkeepers to play for local clubs. Although there will be some foreign goalkeepers guarding some goals this season.

According to Faisal, it’s really hard to stay without any practicing. The player who’s also talented in volleyball, played for a club named Aspiration for All Initiative Sports Club (AAI Sports) in a volleyball tournament during the period he didn’t participate in New Radiant practices due to salary problems last year.

When we asked him which club he would like to play the most he told us it is Maziya. When we asked why the goalkeeper who’s currently released from the blues mentioned it is because they have a good management and a great squad. Adding to it he also said Maziya is the only club which pays salary to their players on time. Faisal said that he is still full of hope for next season and that there are many obstacles for Maldivian Goalkeepers.

“The biggest reason why there are less goalkeepers in the country is because of the lack of opportunities. Even if there is an opportunity they aren’t paid their salaries by most clubs. It’s a very alarming issue that clubs bring foreign goalkeepers. Maldivian keepers are left out.”, said Faisal in disappointment.

Faisal says that in all ways bringing foreign keepers is more expensive. The reason why they bring foreign keepers is because they don’t trust Maldivian goalkeepers. This is the sad yet hard truth. Maldivian keepers need to be given chances even this season because from next season onwards it might not be possible and clubs would then face difficulty in getting local goalkeepers.

The best player of South Asia region said the past 10 years was very difficult career wise. But battling against all odds and taking the positives from all the insults he received, he wants to go forward and play for the national team and bring a good name to the country. He has come a long way to become the nation’s first choice goalkeeper, fighting against all odds.

When we asked what he would like to say to the rising young players, he said sports is something in which the player has to maintain a certain level of discipline. Any player can go forward in any sports with good discipline and by listening to the coach and bettering it by the player’s own hard work.

“To go forward in anything, you need discipline. You need to listen to coaches. You have to respect others. This is the best way a player can go forward. In anything.”, said Faisal.

In conclusion the player said, “I love to play you know, and I feel very sad when I see that other teams have begun practices and I’m just here doing nothing. However, I wouldn’t say you won’t see me this season. If I receive a good offer you will see me.”

The player said that the current state and standard of Maldivian football is very low and there needs to be lots of work done in order to make local football better. He hopes that the country’s football reaches new heights in the near future.