The team lost five out of the six matches they played under Popov 's guidance and his subsequent resignation was stipulated by the Football Association of Maldives ( FAM ). In the recent Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), Maldives lost at the Group stage after suffering defeat in two out of three matches. Dhangandey, a former New Radiant Sports Club (NRSC) member along with Imran , wrote on his official Facebook page that working with Popov had been a source of great happiness to him. “It was a great pleasure for me to work with you coach Velizar Popov. Not forgetting one of my successful seasons with you in 2013. Thank you for everything and I wish you all the very best in the future, you will be missed!” Meanwhile, Imran declared that Popov was the best coach he had worked with in his career and that his absence would be keenly felt. “It felt really sad to see Maldives National Football Team coach leaving. He was surely the best coach I have ever worked with! Under whatever circumstances, I strongly believe that there should be a better goodbye from our side as he has served Maldives football in some way! After all he was National Football team Coach! I wish him good luck!” Popov’s popularity in Malé was established in 2013 with the victories he brought to New Radiant Sports Club (NRSC). They won the Ooredoo Dhivehi Premier League and Football Association Challenge (FA) Cup that year without suffering any defeats. New Radiant further made it to the quarter finals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup under the guidance of Popov. However, his experiences with the National Team did not turn out well. Following the defeat suffered in the match against Mayotte, Coach Popov had slammed some of the senior players on media, stating that he did not perceive serious determination from them and would not give them another chance.