Victory starts the season with a win

Fazeel celebrating his first goal for the new club

Male', MALDIVES -Victory started the new season with a 2-0 win over last season’s best team, Vyansa. Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo) scored the opener in his debut game with the reds and an own goal from Shuaib settled the bills for the reds.

As predicted, the game was dominated by reigning Dhivehi league champion Victory and Vyansa had to find ways in counter attacks, which most of the time didn’t trouble themighty reds.

Oppo started the attacking of Victory with a powerful shot early in the game but was saved by keeper Athif.

In the 30th minute, Vyansa missed their best chance of the game. A through pass from Rilwan met the unmarked Abdhullah inside the penalty area who fired the ball at once and unfortunately missed the target completely.

Eight minutes later Victory broke the deadlock through their new signing, Oppo. Shaffaz’s cross was easily controlled by Oppo and fired a close range shot for which Athif had no chance at all.

Victory started second half exactly where they ended the first period and the ball possession was very much in favour of them.

Second half saw the introduction of Izzath, Ashraf Luthfy and Easa replacing Shiyam, Fareedh and Adhuham respectively.

Vyansa brought in Muaz and Imthiyaz for Abdhullah and Adhuham respectively.

A poor clearance from Shuaib ended up netting an own goal in the extra time happened to be the last action of the game.

Vyansa seemed having fitness problems and players suffered with cramps whereas the mighty reds appeared more confident and fitness level seemed way better.

Victory manager Mohamed Ibrahim (Kappi), who attended the post match news conference, said he came because there is no coach in Victory’s list.

“I am here, because there is no coach in Victory’s team list” he said.

About the game he added: “We played according to our plan and we are happy as we won the game. That’s all I have to say about the match”

Vyansa coach Mohamed Nizam admitted their players had a fitness problem in the game.
“Players had cramps because they have to play a game in this situation while doing pre season fitness”

Both Kappi and Nizam said they didn’t receive any official document from FAM regarding the revised rule of first division coaches. End of last season FAM revised the rule such that only AFC A licensed coaches can coach a first division club and many clubs stood against the new rule.