Maziya holds off Valencia

Maziya celebrates the late equalizer

Male', MALDIVES - Maziya came back from behind to grab a later equalizer in their clash against Valencia today in Dhiraagu Dhivehi League’s encounter. Maziya, who beat New Radiant and VB sports in their last two games, seemed to drop all the points in today’s game when Shinaz Hilmy gave Valencia the lead in the 64th minute, but the surprising minnows fought hard and their leading scorer Chandradasa gave them the smile.

Both teams created chances in the first period of the game, but none of their attempt were so dangerous.

Halfway past in the first half Valencia appealed for a penalty when Latheef brought down Mukhthar inside Maziya penalty area, but referee showed a play on.

Minutes later, Farhan headed a free kick taken by Chathura, which went off target near the post.

In the dying minutes of first half, Maziya keeper Ifrah was forced to parries away a shot by Shafiu to a corner.

In the 61st minute Mukhthar fired a shot which went over the cross bar and three minutes later Shinaz Hilmy scored from Mukhthar’s corner.

In the 66th minute, substitute player Mausoom dribbled past two defenders and took a shot which went near the post.

Maziya strengthened their attacking after Valencia’s goal and they appeared to be much better for Valencia to control.

In a time their attacking seemed far superior Maziya leveled the game from Chandra’s 8th goal of this season. He fired a shot from country mate Chatura’s cross, which keeper Rameez had no chance of saving.

Two minutes before normal time, Chandra sent a chip shot over keeper Rameez, but Rameez worked hard to punch the effort to a corner.

The corner wasn’t a sweet one for Valencia as well, Nazmeen’s header from the corner was denied by the cross bar and Jameel was better in the area to clear the rebounded ball.

After the match Maziya coach Mahfooz said based on the results of their previous games against New Radiant and VB, as a coach he is attached with another pressure from the supporters and that is not to lose a match. He also noted they have reached beyond their target and their successes in this season are due to a good management and better discipline.

“We have gone beyond our target, after previous results supporters now don’t want to lose a match. So as a coach I have another pressure’ he said.

“Valencia is one of the best teams in the league and a draw against them is a good result for us’

“After New Radiant and VB match, we came today to get a good result like this” he added.

“We will work hard to grab better results in the coming games and the secret of our success is because of a good management and good discipline” He concluded.

Valencia coach (Binma) Abdullah Waheed was happy with the performance but said the disappointed today is to leave with one point from a match they need to win three points. He also partially blamed the players for finishing the game too early.

“I am happy with the performance, but the problem is we got only one point from a match we need to have three points” He said.

“The payers finished the game too early. I advised them to keep a good eye on Chathura, but they failed and the result is they (Maziya) scored from his cross”

When asked about his target of winning the league, he replied: “We come out to win every game, the next game is against Vyansa and if we win that match we will be on track”

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