Faulty lights disrupts game: Valencia had lead, then lost it

Last night's game of the second round of the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League saw the stadium lights abruptly go out, disrupting the match between Victory and Valencia.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

A problem occurred with the stadium lights in the 60th minute and caused the lights to go out and subsequently bring the match to a halt. The first set of lights to experience an issue were the bulbs on the north eastern light post. While that issue was being rectified, all the other lights proceeded to go out.

Valencia was in the lead before the disruption occurred with Stéphane Blanc having scored. Uruguay midfielder Matías Appelt's shot on goal from outside the penalty box saw Victory's goalkeeper Nepalese Kiran Kumar Limbu (Kiran Chemjong) defend against it. However, the rebounding ball made its way to French forward Blanc, allowing him to score.

The lights went out just two minutes after the goal was scored.

It took 25 minutes for the issue to be resolved, with the match starting at 85 minutes.

During the first round of the league, Valencia had won against Victory with a score of 1-nil. However, the players were unable to hold their lead in the game where players had to spend more than four hours.

Victory managed to equalize not even 10 minutes after the game restarted. Uzbek defender Javohir Azmov's cross into the penalty box from the sideline of Valencia's half saw Ibrahim Shafraz (Shafley) head the ball into goal.

Valencia goalkeeper Viorel Boian came out to defend against the attack, with the ball going into an empty goal. Even though he worked to catch the ball, Shafraz got to the ball faster than him, resulting in him scoring.

The match was given 28 minutes of extra time in order to make up for the time that was lost. An additional two minutes were played as well, totaling 30 minutes.

Victory equalized in the fourth minute of extra time.

Victory's defender Ali Shamis (Thoppe) was sent off after he was given his second yellow card of the game in the 30th minute of extra time.

Eagles and TC will be playing against each other this evening, with Buru and Green Streets playing at night.