Male’, MALDIVES – Victory edged past resilliant Valencia in tonight’s Dhiraagu Dhivehi League match. Victory went ahead in the first minute of the game by Azim (Andy). A through pass by Shafiu was well met by Andy who beat the keeper to net the goal.

Victory got another chance to increase the lead in the 23rd minute. Mukhthaar managed cross the ball into the penalty area after he dribble past the goal keeper of Valencia and Sameul’s shot went over the cross bar.

Two minutes later, Mukhthaar was brought down inside the penalty area by Adil and referee awarded a penalty to Victory. Fazeel scored from the spot for Victory.

Valencia got a golden opportunity to score in the 41st minute. He managed to dribble past the last defender from the edge of the penalty area. Two players of Valencia were left unmarked inside the penalty area, but Fasir chose to shoot, but it was well saved by goal keeper.

Four minutes into the second half, Valencia got another opportunity to score. This time, Rilwan managed to beat the last defender and crossed into the penalty area. But it was well saved by keeper.

In the 59th minute, Fasir got another chance to score. He managed to dribble past the goal keeper outside the penalty area. But he chose to go away from the goal, and the goal keeper managed to get in to position, before Fasir was able to take the shot. Keeper saved it brilliantly.

Valencia managed to put a score in the scoreboard in the 72nd minute. Assadhullah was one to one with Victory’s goal keeper Faisal. He chipped the ball over the goal keeper into the corner of the net.

After the match, Victory’s coach Suzain said that he was happy with the three points.

“I am happy with the three points. We did not play that well, but it was alright”

“I had no choice today as the players in the bench was either sick or recovering from injury”

“Andy was tired, but Oppo was having a flu and I had to change Shafiu. Shifan (Kudattey) was recovering from Injury and Messi just returned to practice. But I had no choice tonight but to use those players.”

“So considering all of that I am happy with the player’s attitude to win and to get three points”

Meanwhile, Valencia’s official, Mohammed Haleem (Jadaa) said that even though they lost three points they are happy with the performance.

“We are happy with the performance from our players. We weren’t scoring in the previous round, but after the break, we have been scoring. So it’s a good sign. Our game was not that bad today”

“It was a huge blow when they scored in the first minute. Practically we had to start the game with a goal down. For any team it would be difficult to start in that situation. But our player worked hard and gave a good fight to Victory”

“I felt we were a bit poor in the first half. But we turned around the game in the second half and gave a good fight”