Maziya starts the new year strong

Maziya has kicked off the new year with a solid 2-1 victory over United Victory, maintaining their dominant form in the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League. 

With this win, Maziya has secured a substantial nine-point lead at the top of the table over their closest rivals, Odi Sports Club, although they have played one additional match. 

This game was the first league fixture of the year following the New Year’s break that began last Thursday. Maziya’s current run is record-breaking, as they have now entered their fourth consecutive year without a league defeat; their last loss in the competition dates back to April 2022, when they fell 1-0 to Club Eagles.

In the match held at the National Football Stadium this afternoon, the goals for Maziya were scored by Hamza Mohamed (Hampu) and Naiz Hassan (Dhaadhu). 

Hamza provided the breakthrough in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a significant error by United Victory’s Egyptian goalkeeper, Ali Adil Mustafa Ali. 

The mistake occurred when the goalkeeper attempted to control and clear a back-pass from his defender just outside the penalty area. Hamza pressured the ball, causing it to deflect off his foot and escape the keeper’s control, allowing him to easily loft the ball into the empty net while it was still in the air. 

Following the blunder, a visibly frustrated Mustafa was seen resting his head on an advertising board behind the goal for a brief moment.

Maziya doubled their lead late in the second half through a corner kick routine. In the 82nd minute, Ibrahim Aisham (Tony) delivered a corner that was headed across the goal by defender Luis Paolo Rocha Almeida. Naiz Hassan was perfectly positioned on the goal line to turn the ball into the net, ensuring the three points for his side. 

Although United Victory managed to pull a goal back in the fifth minute of stoppage time through Mohamed Samir Mohamed Muslih Sad, it was too late to mount a comeback. The victory reaffirms Maziya's status as the team to beat in Maldivian football as the league progresses into 2026.