President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has congratulated the Maldives national football team following their emphatic 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the South Asian Super Cup 2025.

In a telephone call to head coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) on 7 September, the President commended the team’s performance in their first outing of the tournament and urged them to stay focused on securing further success. He encouraged the players to compete with unity and national spirit, striving for prestigious titles that would bring honour to Maldivian football.

Coach Shiyaz described the President’s call as a morale boost for the squad, adding that the players were determined to give their best and aim for the tournament trophy.

The opening match at Colombo’s Race Course International Stadium ended in a 3-0 victory for the Maldives, with Naiz Hassan opening the scoring in the 27th minute before setting up Ibrahim Mahudhee Hussain for the second. Ahmed Rizwan was instrumental in the build-up, while 16-year-old debutant Ilan provided a late assist for veteran forward Ali Fasir to secure the win in injury time.

The 3-0 win gives the Maldives a strong advantage heading into the second leg of the South Asian Super Cup on Tuesday. Sri Lanka’s coach had confidently predicted victory in the opening match, but the Maldivian side, led by new coach Mohamed Shiyaz, outperformed expectations to secure his first competitive win in charge.

The Government has pledged to restore the country’s footballing legacy, with plans to revive the sport through new infrastructure projects. Facilities are being developed in Malé and across the atolls to support sports at both community and professional levels.