Champion Maziya started the new season of the Dhivehi Premier League (DPL) strong with a 1-0 win against Odi Sports in the first match.

This season of the DPL is the first time matches will be played outside of Male'. HDh. Dhidhdhoo and GDh. Gadhdhoo will be playing their home league matches on their respective home turfs. This is the first time the DPL is being played on a home-and-away basis.

An entertainment show was presented during the ceremony last night at the national stadium in Male' to start the league kick-off game. However, there was no excitement at the Male' stadium. It is likely the matches played at Dhidhdhoo and Gadhdhoo will be much more exciting.

There were no major exchanges between the two teams last night.

The only thing that made a difference was the penalty. Maziya scored the only goal of the match via a penalty, scored by Benjamin Thomas Kuku. The Nigerian forward scored the game-winning penalty against New Radiant in the Cup Winners' Cup final.

Kuku did not give Odi goalkeeper Mohamed Ashwan a chance and scored the penalty last night. The goal was scored in the 12th minute of the game, changing the result of the match.

However, the efforts of Abdulla Looth Ibrahim, the young Maziya player who won the penalty for his team, were much more visible.

Ahmed Aiham (Fatho) sent the ball to the wing from the team's backline, knowing Looth would be able to receive it. He secured possession of the ball from the middle of Odi's half near the sideline, ran up the pitch and entered the Odi's penalty box.

Looth got past experienced defender Mohamed Rasheed (Hockey) and Muzdhan Hassan. He attempted to take a shot into the far corner of the goal but was stopped by a foul from Rasheed. Rasheed grabbed Looth's leg and made him fall within the penalty box. Referee Jawid Mohamed gestured for a penalty immediately.

Young Maziya forward Mohamed Ilan Imran was substituted for Kuku due to an injury early on in the match.