There are two sides to VB Sports

A rampaging VB is taking local tournament Dhiraagu Dhivehi league by storm but their continental journey in AFC cup is horribly in disarray. Though difficult to believe they are exhibiting both the extremes – so colossal in domestic, yet whimpering in the international tourney.  That is how you can sum up the fortune of present VB Sports. 

They saw off Eagles last week by 9 goals to nil and this week it was yet another clean sweep.  They thrashed AYL by 6 – 1. However they are ‘embarrassingly’ bad in the AFC Cup. On last Wednesday they came up against Hong Kong side they could have easily beaten. Yet the final score was VB-3, Pegasus 5. Before that they had lost against Song Lam Nghe An of Vietnam 1-3. Let alone home advantage they couldn’t hold on to one goal lead and defense made mess of everything. It is depressingly sort of understanding and weak, worse than last year. 

The question is whether they can defend the local league title and the answer for many would be yes. But anything about AFC cup you will have to wait and see. Because to have any chance to qualify for the next round they have to win the next three matches and that would be no easy mountain to scale.

Referee's mistake Reds bad-luck

Season opening clash of two heavyweights in the Charity Shield was an ideal platform for VB and Victory to showcase their newly-acquired talents. But it was newly drafted in referee Aslam who stole the limelight by committing the blunder of blunders in what looks to be not the last of such bad officiating. He mistook a chest control by Victory defender Shafiu for a handball in Victory penalty area and handed VB a perfect opportunity to play spoilsport. Abu made no mistake from the spot to level the match for VB already trailing by a goal.  The added insult to injury was straight red-card to the poor lad. A man down, morale down, it was the worst recipe for Victory to begin a season and not the best omen for what was to come from the referees. As expected VB went an all-out assault on Victory in the extra period of 30 minutes. In the end the numerical disadvantage was too much for Reds to do much against Ashfag-inspired VB. Final score: VB win by 4-1.

 

VB has done it again

As many would have expected VB defended their title for the second time in as many years. In a season purported to be one-sided VB reached finish line well ahead of final two games of the league.

Ashfag came off the bench to provide the much-needed breakthrough for the 1-1 stalemate in the 74th minute. His cleverly-disguised pass, rather than a shot, found the back of net to the confusion of Maziya defenders who failed to clear it.

He put the tie beyond doubt with his second of the day from a right flank free kick before Ali Umar capped off the vital clash with a brilliant individual goal.

The final whistle saw Vanli lifted aloft by the ecstatic players for the memorable success the Turkish helped to bring to the youngest club in the Maldivian football fraternity. For to win a silverware without a single defeat is no mean achievement. Well done VB!

Reds still in the slim hope

New Radiant’s recent endeavor to strengthen the team with the acquisition of two Bulgarians could not be much of a help when Victory came firing all cylinders.  More so with the usually reliable Oppo in the fray like a fox in the box the least you could do is let a loose ball within his sight and you know the result. He made meal out of the opportunity and scored his 16th goal of the season.

New Radiant may have got numerous chances begging for them but what of the use when players of Tom’s reputation fluff penalty cheaply.

In the end it was again Suzain’s day as they claimed an importantly victory to consolidate their position in the second place and condemn the Blues to struggle for the third spot. Can they do it?

For Victory they have to wait for what happen tonight? If VB lose their game against Maziya there is the slim hope for rejoice till the next match day.

Dhivehi League preponed

The latest move by FAM to pre-pone Dhivehi League will be some consolation as far as time is concerned. As time (rather the lack of it) more often than not has been blamed for Maldives’ preparation at overseas tournament.

As of now day and night matches will be played from the 16th of this month till 25th. Bereft of any real excitement over the long-drawn tournament this will in part further stretch interest of limited supporters.

But then it is U23 which takes precedence and all the help that is needed is a prerogative of parent body, FAM. Thus to pre-pone the remaining three matches for each team runs in good stead.

Victory in relentless mood

Victory’s belated endeavor to make amends for earlier profligacy seems little too late. But then this precious three points against wasteful Vyansa is important in the fact that it keep them in the hunt for now.

As it is for Oppo. With his brace he is still in contention for leading goal scorer award except that he is just two goals behind leading goals scorer Ashfag. Though, his best years behind him, he is scoring important goals at important juncture for his team. One would wish Oppo's inspiration should have permeated to all in red at the beginning of the season when they lost valuable points to mediocre teams.

Now it is all a waiting game. Perhaps in the coming week we would get the answer. 

  
    

AYL on freefall

When losing become a routine affair the headache becomes unmanageable for the coach. For AYL coach Athif it is no different, there is nothing to revel about, it is all defeats.

Now these matches for him in Dhiraagu Dhivehi league are formalities rather than any which does anything to their position in the table. With yet another loss to high-flying New Radiant, AYL aim must targeted to the relegation battles looming large on the face.

For New Radiant it was yet another easy romp with a 5-3 with Bulgarian Petkov getting on the score sheet thrice. Mohan team is coming good towards the end of the season but it is unlikely they get better than their present position at 3.