This year’s SAFF Suzuki Cup will be the final SAFF championship in his career, announced the Maldives National Football Team’s captain Ali “Dhagandey” Ashfaq. Dhagandey, who put on the national jersey in 2004, will continue to serve the national team next year as well. However, his official retirement from the team will transpire before the 2017 SAFF Suzuki Cup. The “Man of Steel”, who is considered the best footballer the Maldives has ever seen, said he wants to cap off the championship with a victory and that the whole team is aiming for the prestigious Cup. “I’ll do everything that is in my power to achieve the glory we’re all hoping for,” he promised. He added that playing in the national team is always a great honour for him. “My wish is for all the players and supporters to face this head on with national spirit. God willing, we shall emerge victorious this time.” Dhagandey had played for the national team in the SAFF Championships of 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013. He had been instrumental to the Maldives’ victory of the Cup in 2008 and was awarded the man of the championship that year. He had also played a vital role in leading the team to the semi-finals in 2009. In 2013, he became the all-time top scorer of the SAFF Championship with total 14 goals. Currently a striker for Malaysian Super League’s PDRM FA, Dhagandey had established himself as a formidable force to be reckoned with since he began his career in the early 2000’s. He is widely acknowledged as one of the best players in South Asia and was awarded the World’s 2nd Best Top Goal Scorer in 2013 by IFFHS. This year, he had scored a hat-trick in the only win for the Maldives in the world cup qualifying. Meanwhile, national head coach Ricki Herbert had said earlier this month that the team is looking to unearth the next Dhagandey by giving more opportunities to younger players on the field. Coach Herbert said it is essential for the team to learn how to play without Dhagandey, who he had described as “the best player in this country”. “The important thing is to move forward. We need to prepare for the day when Maldives no longer has Dhagandey's services. That's why I'm giving the chance to young players to show what they can do." The SAFF Suzuki Cup, which was newly rebranded from its former SAFF Championship marque earlier this year, is scheduled from December 23 to January 3 in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The Maldives is in Group B alongside defending champion Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan.