News
Sobah Proud of Maldives’ Fighting Spirit Despite Defeat to Bangladesh
“Not an easy result, even though we lost 4-2. Still, it was an outstanding performance by our girls. I’m really proud of the character, courage, and fighting spirit they showed against a well-prepared Bangladesh side. Our girls fought until the very last second.”
Those were the words of Maldives women’s national team head coach Sobah Mohamed following his side’s spirited 4-2 defeat against Bangladesh in an entertaining encounter.
Despite the loss, Maldives earned praise for a determined display against one of South Asia’s strongest women’s teams. The Maldivian side showed resilience throughout the match, continuing to push forward and battle until the final whistle against a Bangladesh team that has made significant strides in women’s football in recent years.
Sobah highlighted the wider reality surrounding women’s football development in the region, stressing that Maldives is still in the early stages compared to more established sides like Bangladesh and India.
“The reality is that women’s football in the Maldives is still not fully prepared to compete consistently at the level of teams like India and Bangladesh. The level these teams have reached today did not happen overnight. It is the result of years of planning, investment, preparation, and continuous development,” he said.
He added that football standards across Asia continue to evolve rapidly, making long-term planning and support essential for Maldives to close the gap.
“Football is evolving everywhere. If we genuinely want to compete at this level, we also need patience, support, proper planning, and long-term development.”
While Bangladesh emerged victorious on the scoreboard, Maldives left the pitch with their heads held high after a performance filled with determination and heart. The team’s fighting spirit was especially evident as they continued to press for goals even late in the match.
“Despite everything, I couldn’t be prouder of our girls. They gave absolutely everything until the very last minute, and that fighting spirit deserves respect,” Sobah added.
The match once again highlighted both the growing potential of Maldives women’s football and the challenges that remain as the country seeks to build a stronger foundation for the future.
News
Gadhdhoo Edge Huraa 2-1 to Boost DPL Qualification Hopes
Gadhdhoo secured an important 2-1 victory over Huraa in the DPL Qualifiers 2026/27, strengthening their hopes of progressing from the qualification stage after a hard-fought encounter.
The match began at a lively pace, with both sides looking to take control early on. Huraa enjoyed spells of possession and attempted to dictate the tempo, but Gadhdhoo remained organized and dangerous on the counterattack.
The breakthrough came in the first half when Gadhdhoo capitalized on a defensive lapse to open the scoring. The goal gave them confidence and forced Huraa to push forward in search of an equalizer.
Huraa responded positively and created several opportunities, eventually finding the back of the net to bring the match level. The equalizer energized the contest and set up an exciting second half with both teams chasing a winning goal.
As the game entered its decisive stages, Gadhdhoo showed greater efficiency in front of goal. A well-worked attacking move resulted in their second goal of the evening, restoring their advantage and putting Huraa under pressure.
Despite late efforts from Huraa to salvage a point, Gadhdhoo’s defense stood firm. The final whistle confirmed a valuable 2-1 victory for the island side, earning them three crucial points in their DPL Qualifiers campaign.
The result leaves Gadhdhoo in a strong position as the competition progresses, while Huraa will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures. With qualification spots at stake, every point remains vital in the race for promotion to the Dhivehi Premier League.
News
Biss Buru Sports Club Thrash Green Streets 5-2 in DPL Qualifiers
Biss Buru Sports Club produced a commanding performance to defeat Green Streets 5-2 in the DPL Qualifiers 2026/27, taking a significant step towards qualification.
The Male’ Region champions showcased their attacking quality from the outset, creating numerous chances and putting Green Streets under constant pressure. Their dominance paid off as they raced into a comfortable lead with clinical finishing in front of goal.
Despite Green Streets finding the net twice and showing moments of resilience, Biss Buru remained in control throughout the contest. The champions continued to attack with intent and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.
The emphatic victory highlights Biss Buru’s credentials as one of the strongest sides in the qualifiers. Having already impressed in the Male’ Region League, they once again demonstrated their quality, depth, and attacking prowess on the national stage.
With five goals and an assured overall display, Biss Buru Sports Club sent a strong message to their rivals as the race for promotion to the Dhivehi Premier League continues.
News
Pakistan Crowned Champions with Dominant Victory in Final
Pakistan were crowned champions of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament after defeating Afghanistan 2-0 in the final at the National Stadium in Malé.
The victory marked a historic achievement for Pakistan, who completed an impressive unbeaten campaign to lift the trophy and cap off a memorable week in the Maldives. Having already secured a place in the final with strong performances during the league stage, Pakistan once again demonstrated their quality and discipline to overcome Afghanistan in the tournament decider.
Both teams entered the final with confidence after impressive runs to the championship match. Pakistan had topped the standings during the league phase, while Afghanistan secured their place in the final after finishing ahead of the other competitors.
The final began at a lively pace, with both sides looking to establish control of possession. Pakistan, however, gradually took command of the contest with their organized midfield play and dangerous attacking movements.
Their pressure eventually paid off as they broke the deadlock with the opening goal, giving Pakistan a deserved advantage. The goal lifted the confidence of the Pakistani side, while Afghanistan struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a disciplined defense.
Pakistan continued to threaten on the counterattack and doubled their advantage in the second half. The second goal effectively put the match beyond Afghanistan’s reach and allowed Pakistan to manage the remainder of the contest comfortably.
Afghanistan pushed forward in search of a way back into the match but found it difficult to break down a Pakistani side that remained compact and organized throughout the evening. Pakistan’s defensive unit once again impressed, limiting Afghanistan’s attacking options and preserving their lead until the final whistle.
The 2-0 victory completed a remarkable tournament for Pakistan. They opened their campaign with a draw before registering a historic win over hosts Maldives and another victory against Afghanistan in the league stage. Their success in the final ensured they finished the tournament unbeaten and deserved champions.
For Afghanistan, the defeat ended a spirited campaign that saw them reach the final and challenge strongly throughout the competition. Despite falling short in the title match, they can take pride in their performances during the tournament.
Pakistan’s triumph will be remembered as one of the country’s most significant international football achievements in recent years, with the team showcasing resilience, organization and quality on their way to lifting the Diamond Jubilee International Tournament trophy.
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