Victory 4 - 2 New Radiant...

Male’, MALDIVES – New Radiant completed first round of Wataniya Dhivehi league in a disappointing mood after picking a heavy defeat against rivals Victory today. Victory, without key striker Assad Ali, came stronger and beat the blues by 4-2.It was New Radiant, who took the lead in the 39th minute when referee Ameez awarded a penalty after Victory skipper Umair brought down Shimaz (Kokky) inside the penalty area. And Akram scored from the spot sending keeper Nishah the wrong way.But two minutes later Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo) leveled the game after a sloppy defense from New Radiant. It was Mukhthar Naseer (2 Kilo) who played the vital role by taking a powerful shot inside the penalty area and the ball deflected off New Radiant defenders and Oppo easily converted from close range.Before the break Victory took the lead taking full advantage of another defensive error of New Radiant. This time keeper Ifrah is to blame for his mistimed effort and the ball fell onto unmarked Ahmed Saeed (Ammaty) and he had no problem finding the empty net.New Radiant appeared stronger after the break and within two minutes they went inches close to finding the equalizer but Izzath’s shot was saved by the keeper.But in the 55th minute Farhad saw his cross went into the goal over the keeper making it 2-2.New Radiant looked to be in a coming back spirit but it all ruined in the 64th minute when Ibrahim Abdullah scored from a double effort. First, his header hit the cross bar and headed again to take the lead. After the third goal, Victory took full control of the game and it was Ifrah to thank most for some cool saves to keep the blues away from another goal but the 76th minute header from Sobah happened to be too powerful for him to deny.After the game New Radiant coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) said referee Ameez may have to take some responsibility of their defeat.“I am not sure whether referee has to take the responsibility of this defeat, but with the penalty he should red card Umair for that challenge and no one would know what will happen afterwards. But it would be an advantage for us so the referee may have to take some responsibility” Mohan said.“During the break I talked to the referee about the penalty he said the player will have a narrow angle after beating the keeper. It happened in front of the goal and I don’t understand what he meant by ‘narrow angle’”“I am happy with the performance, especially in the second half the team played well and suddenly the outcome changes because we lack enough experienced players. We played well but lack that final pass, I hope we can solve this” Mohan said.Victory coach Ali Suzain noted the fewer supporters in the stadium and said it is something the responsible authorities must look into.“First of all I would say, in the last 38 years this is the game between Victory and New Radiant that had very less number of supporters. So we need to see what’s happening” He said.“And for the game, I would say this is a deserved win because we won by 4-2”“ I also believe Umair should be red carded in the penalty foul, because he was the last player. But may be the referee had seen another player there, or it could be a mistake from him”

source & photo : maldivesoccer

1st win of VB Sports over Victory in 3 years... VB 2-1 VSC

Male’, MALDIVES - VB Sports Club had a super come back in the second half after they conceded a goal in the first half against Victory in tonight’s Wataniya Dhivehi League match. There were a lot of fouls made and the referee was forced to show 11 yellow cards and 1 red card.VB had the first shot on goal in the 3rd minute. Ashfaaq headed Firaz’s cross but goal keeper Nishah who came in for injured Imran made a superb save to block it.Again Nishah was forced to make another superb save in the 11th minute from a shot by Lareef.However, it was Victory who took the lead at first. Fazeel’s shot from a through pass by Mukthaar went in to the far bottom corner of the goal.Niyaz of VB made another shot in the 30th minute, but it went near the post.VB equalized the game from a terrible mistake by Umair. Niyaz’s corner was deflected by Umair and went straight in to the goal leaving no chance for goal keeper Nishah.In the 70th minute, Ashfaaq dribbled past three defenders and shot straight in to the corner of the goal.Victory had few chances after VB’s second goal. Umair’s 74th minute shot was saved by Shinan for a corner.Ashad also got a golden opportunity to score in the 78th minute. But his shot was deflected by a defender.One minute later, Fazeel’s header was deflected off the post.After the match, VB’s coach Kiss highlighted the importance of tonight’s win.“It was an important match for us to win. We lost the first game against Victory, draw the next one and we won this one.”“Probably our players were more fit at this condition and that might have been an advantage for us. Our players worked hard for the win. It’s probably what people don’t believe”.He noted that in tonight’s match the workers beat the stars.“We worked hard tonight. We don’t have that much quality players like the opponent. We worked as a team and we are trying to teach them that. They are a star team and today, the workers beat the stars”.“We want to give a message to the fans is that it is no longer big 3 clubs. We want to prove that there is a fourth club. Hopefully after some time we would achieve the top”.Kiss defended Naani’s performance and highlighted that if the defense can’t play then it would reflect on to the goal keeper.“If the defense is horrible than the goal keeper is horrible. The defenders have to know the role of their positions and if they can’t, then it would reflect on to the goal keeper”.Kiss also noted the poor performance of the referee.“We try to tell the players to work hard for the ball. But in a match when the referee shows that much cards? How could we play? Ashfaaq is the best player in the Maldives and Victory had a different player to tackle Ashfaaq in every 10 minutes. The referee did not see that and did not protect him from that”.Meanwhile, Victory’s head coach Suzeyn noted that the performance from his boys was on an average scale.“This is the first win of VB Sports over Victory in 3 years and I would like to congratulate them. It was an average performance from the players on the pitch today. We created some good attacks and there was good movement as well. “He also noted that he did not opt to use Daniel in the first eleven because he is not match fit.“Daniel had a problem and he is not mentally fit as well. He needs to improve match fitness too”.Suzeyn was also full of praise for the young goal keeper who filled in the shoes for the injured Imran.“He was good today. He was much better than Shinan (Naani) who is among the 3 goal keepers of national team. He did not make such errors in tonight’s game and I am happy for his performance”.

source & photo : www.maldivesoccer.com

Final squad: CC Qualification Round

Male’, MALDIVES - Coach Istvan Urbanyi selected his final squad for the upcoming AFC challenge cup qualification. Keeper Imran Mohamed was confirmed out after the serious injury he suffered today but for the good Valencia keeper Hassan Rameez (Timo) was given the green signal.According to Urbanyi, his final selection had minor changes after Imran being ruled out and Timo was one such change and the other being making the total to 23 instead of his previous idea of 22. The other addition to the squad was Shamveel Qasim (Bonda) as a standby player.Team manager Mauroof Ahmed (Maattey), said speaking to TVM’s AFC challenge cup qualification special program, that they had a meeting with Bonda today after the player called. Maattey said Bonda now has the chance to get even a place in the first eleven if he performs well in the next practices.Coach Urbanyi was happy to have the midfielder back but added he shouldn’t have left the team like that.“The main problem with Bonda was he just left the team, he can’t do that. He can’t leave the team, if he has a problem he can come and we can talk about it. I respect him as a player, I can understand his problems but I think he shouldn’t fight for his rights before the cup. But I am happy he is back” coach Urbanyi said.Urbanyi said VB keeper Shinan (Naani) will be his first choice keeper and Timo would be the second choice.

The final 23 player squad is:

Mohamed Shifan (Kudattey)- VSC
Mohamed Umair - VSC
Mukhthar Naseer - VSC
Assad Ali - VSC
Ahmed Saeed (Ammaty) - VSC
Hassan Adhuham - VSC
Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo) - VSC
Sobah Mohamed - VSC
Mohamed Arif (Bakaa) - NRSC
Ahmed Thoriq (Tom) - NRSC
Akram Abdul Ghanee - NRSC
Shamveel Qasim (Bonda)- NRSC
Ali Ashfaaq (Dhagey) - VBSC
Adam Lareef (Ronaldo)- VBSC
Ali Umar - VBSC
Ahmed Ashfan - VBSC
Mohamed Shaffaz (Sappe) - VBSC
Mohamed Shinan (Naani) – Goal Keeper - VBSC
Abdullah Haneef (Benjo) - VBSC
Mohamed Jameel (Jambe) - CV
Assad Abdul Ghanee - CV
Hassan Rameez (Timo) – Goal Keeper - CV
Faisal – Goal Keeper - AYL

source : www.maldivesoccer.com

IMRAN INJURED & OUT ...

Male’, MALDIVES - Maldives national team suffered a major blow as first choice keeper Imran Mohamed picked a serious finger injury and is ruled out of the upcoming AFC challenge cup qualification. Imran was injured during national team's practices held at Vilimale' today.No official from the national team was available to comment on the matter but a reliable source has confirmed that Imran’s left index finger is fractured and another two fingers are also seriously injured and he will be flying to Sri Lanka tonight for treatment.The injury is believed to serious and Imran is likely to be sidelined for eight weeks, meaning new coach Urbanyi now has a tough decision to make on who will replace the experienced shot stopper.Currently Ifrah, Shinan and Faisal are the three keepers in the squad and based on their performances it is believed AYL’s youngster Faisal is likely to be selected to fill the gap or based on experience Shinan could be the one.Maldives will face Turkmenistan in their first game on next Tuesday. Turkmenistan had their first practices in Male' today on the Turf Pitch.

source : www.maldivesoccer.com

Maldives named 26 player squad - 9 Players from VICTORY SPORTS CLUB

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has revealed the 26 player squad for the national team practices that will start next Sunday. The squad has nine Victory players, six New Radiant players, five players from VB, three players each from Valencia and All Youth Linkage.First division coaches initially submitted players and formed a squad of fifty players and the list was short listed yesterday after FAM appointed all the officials of the national team for the challenge cup qualifying.FAM appointed Istvan Urbanyi of Hungary as the head coach and Ahmed Mujuthaba (Fesco) as his assistant.Mauroof Ahmed (Maattey) was given the manager post and Mohamed Ibrahim (Kappi) to his assistant.

The 26 player squad is listed below:

Victory
Mohamed Shifan (Kudattey)
Mohamed Umair
Mukthar Naseer (2 Kilo)
Assad Ali (Adubarey)
Ahmed Saeedh (Ammaty)
Hassan Adham
Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo)
Imran Mohamed
Sobah Mohamed

NRSC
Ibrahim Amil
Mohamed Arif (Bakaa)
Ahmed Thoriq (Tom)
Shamveel Gasim (Bonda)
Akram Abdul Ghani
Ibrahim Ifrah Areef

VBSC
Ali Ashfaq (Dhagey)
Adam Lareef (Rona)
Ali Umar
Shinaz Hilmy
Ahmed Ashfan

Valencia
Hassan Rameez (Timo)
Mohamed Jameel (Jambe)
Assad Abdul Ghani

AYL
Ali Fasir
Mohamed Faisal
Ahmed Latheef

Wish you guys all the luck & try bring us success in the qualifying round.

VICTORY SPORTS CLUB

AS WE TAKE A BREAK ON TRAINING

It might be a question to many supporters that why VSC has taken a break on training. Let me explain some reasons why...

The present technical staff at the club strongly believes in transforming the conventional training methodologies to modern science based training systems.You might be surprised to know that these types of training system cannot be applied over night. It may take years to transform the entire belief and ideologies which have been used for years.The modern belief of sport psychology proves that training top level athletes without a competitive game for long makes them psychologically weak and bored on training, due to this reason if the training is continued for a break of 6 weeks continuously these athletes looses concentration. Secondly as you might have noticed we are working on to adopt players to more variety of training, you might have seen intense training session for short hours on some days and light training sessions for longer hours during some days with variety of athletic skills apart from the ball skills where the players become more physically capable to sweat on the field vigorously.As we are looking to improve the quality of the players who remain in our squad when the senior players leave on National duty it is important to arrange the training structure on a manner that we get the maximum out of them and make the athletes come to a peak before the next competitive game in the season.The active rest of the players will end on 22nd March 2009 and training resumes on 23rd March 2008.We wish all national players luck on their national duty.

Hussain Zinan
Physical Trainer
Victory Sports Club

Valencia 1 - 1 Victory: Sobah equalizer...

Male’, MALDIVES - A late equalizer from Sobah Mohamed denied Valencia’s hope of winning their first big boys encounter in the ongoing Wataniya Dhivehi League. Valencia’s second half substitute Richard scored opener from the spot before Sobah found the net in the 80th minute.For the first time in the league, the stands looked alive in a game with supporter of both sides making their voices heard when physical contacts were at their best in the game. Everything anyone expects from a big encounter was seen in the game, especially in the first half. The tempo, the play, the physical contacts, whistles you name it.Just two minutes in to the game Valencia’s Marceline found the back of the net from a close range header but the official’s flag was up for an offside.In the fourth minute, first yellow card of the game was shown to Valencia skipper Jameel for a foul on Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo). In the 11th minute a cross from Valencia’s Imran was on target to the goal but keeper Imran punched the ball to a corner.In the 18th minute Sobah tried to kick the loose ball inside Valencia penalty area but his effort ended fruitless.In the 32nd minute Sobah was booked for a foul on Ibrahim Shiyam (Dhona) and the tension rose from both sides and at the same time Victory defender Umair was also booked for protesting against referee’s judgment.Three minutes before half time, Adhuham shot from inside the penalty area but his powerless effort was easily denied by keeper Rameez.Victory coach Suzain substituted already booked Ahmed Saeed (Ammaty) at the start of the second half and early in the second half Valencia took off Dhona as well. A minute before an hour mark Valencia was awarded a penalty kick for a handball from Fareed.Richard’s right bottom corner targeted penalty was saved by Imran but referee whistled to re-take the penalty as Daniel moved inside the penalty area when it was taken.Richard’s second attempt had more power when it hit the vertical bar on its way to the top corner sending keeper Imran the wrong way.In the 63rd minute Marceline had one of the best chances of the game but his shot had no power to trouble anyone.A minute later Umair troubled Valencia defense but his shot was saved by keeper Rameez.In the 80th minute Sobah headed home the equalizer from Niyaz’s timely cross. After the game Valencia coach Dzurjack said they should have won the game and added keeper Rameez’s performance was low due to injury.“I am totally disappointed with the result, this is a game we should have won” He said.“But conceding a late goal we lost three points and got only one” “Timo (Rameez) couldn’t play well in the second half due to a knee injury he suffered”. “I don’t want to comment on referee’s decisions, but I want to say that Maldivian football will improve only if you have a mechanism to do things equally for the clubs. Now I see discrimination between the clubs”. When asked about Marceline’s off-side goal he said he cannot say anything about it because he didn’t see the goal properly.Victory coach Suzain noted this is the first game in like two years that Valencia keeper Rameez stayed on his feet when Valencia was leading.“First of all I would like to thank the media for this campaign. This is the first time in like two years that Valencia keeper Rameez stayed on his feet when Valencia was leading the score” Suzain said.“This is something we have to bring to everyone’s attention and tonight we saw it very good and professionally from Valencia”.“I am happy with the result, as we got a point scoring a late goal against a team like Valencia”.“We were forced to substitute Oppo again tonight, but his problem now is lack of confidence. But he will improve”.When asked about the referee, Suzain said: “If we didn’t see that six yellow cards in the first half, we would have seen some nasty performance tonight. So I have nothing else to say about the referee”.Victory’s next encounter in the league will be against VB sports on 27th April while Valencia will face New Radiant a day earlier.

source : www.maldivesoccer.com