Ahmed Affan
Maziya Sports & Recreation Club’s run in the AFC Challenge League 2024–25 came to a disappointing end as the Maldivian champions were knocked out in the group stage without securing a single point. Drawn in Group B, Maziya faced stiff competition from teams in the Central and West Asian region but failed to convert any of their three fixtures into points.
Their campaign opened against FC Arkadag of Turkmenistan, where Maziya initially led but were unable to hold their advantage. Arkadag rallied to secure a comeback victory with a final score of 2-1, marking Maziya’s first setback.
This loss put pressure on Maziya as they approached their second group-stage match.
In their subsequent match, Maziya squared off against Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC. Despite hopes for a turnaround, they were defeated 2-0, which dashed their chances of progressing to the knockout stage. The defeat against Al Arabi underscored the challenges Maziya faced as they struggled against strong, organized defenses.
The final game of the group stage saw Maziya’s exit officially sealed as they failed to secure any points across three matches. With these results, Maziya exited the tournament as the only team in Group B without a win or a draw. The club’s early exit marks a disappointing outcome for the Maldivian champions, who had entered the tournament with high hopes but were ultimately outclassed by their regional counterparts.
This elimination has sparked discussions among fans and analysts about the future of Maldivian football at the continental level, as teams from the nation strive for better results in future competitions.
