Victory confident team will show improvement after break

Victory Assistant Coach Adam Abdul Latheef (Lahchey) has expressed confidence that the team will show improvement after the break in the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League to accommodate two National Team matches. 

Victory was one of the teams that entered the season underprepared, despite a year and a half hiatus. They couldn't field a full squad for their opening match, and with no head coach in place, former forward Lahchey stepped in as interim coach. 

Despite the resignation of most board members, Victory is yet to hold new elections. 

Victory has now signed up players for the four slots for foreign players. However, only three arrived in Maldives. A defender from Kyrgyzstan and a midfielder from Egypt played in the last match against Green Streets. 

Lahchey announced that a foreign striker will be in the line up that faces Odi Sports in the next match. A Victory official said that the fourth foreign player, from Asia, will be former Syrian national team keeper Mahmood Al Yusuf, who has played for Victory previously as well. 

Slovakia's expert Gergely Geri has been appointed as Head Coach, but he is yet to arrive in Maldives. 

The Dhivehi Premier League will take a two-week break to accommodate Maldives National Team's two matches against Tajikistan in the Asian Cup Qualifying. 

Lahchey noted that Victory intends to make the most of the current break. None of the team's outfield players were selected for the National Team this time, with the sole spot going to goalkeeper Mohamed Yamin. Reports suggest Victory's outfield players are likely to be overlooked again for national selection. 

Due to this, the team will have the opportunity to practice over the break with its full squad, Lahchey said. 

A Victory official said that it is likely that Gergely Geri will also arrive in time for practice over the break. Lahchey said that while the team is looking forward to the break, they are currently focused on the match against Odi Sports scheduled for Thursday night. 

Recognizing that Odi has a strong squad this time, Lahchey said that Victory players are in a positive mindset after having won the second match. 

"I am telling the players that results in matches will be favourable if they exert extra hard efforts in trainings. The team is being shaped this way now."