Buru Sports Club head coach Cristian Rodriguez Diaz credited the impact of his substitutes after his side secured their first win of the 2026/27 Dhivehi Premier League season, beating Gadhdhoo 2-0 yesterday evening.

“The impact of the substitutes on the game was profound,” Rodriguez said, pointing to the stronger second-half performance by his players.

Buru broke the deadlock in the sixth minute of the second half through Juan Eduardo Lescano before fullback Ibrahim Usama Hassan Majeedh added a second in the 78th minute. Usama was named Player of the Match.

Rodriguez made four second-half substitutes: Areen Abdhulla Ibrahim came on to kick off the second half. Thoif Gasim replace Khalil Gamal minutes before Usama scored. Mohamed Naisam Nadheem and fullback Leevan Nadheem came on afterwards and ensured Buru finished with a clean sheet.

The victory was Buru’s first of the season after a difficult start. The club began its campaign in the Cup Winners’ Cup, finishing the competition without a win, before losing three of their subsequent Dhivehi Premier League matches.

Rodriguez also highlighted the contribution of Abdullah Yameen, known as Yaanu. The coach had initially planned to use Yameen on the left flank but moved him to the right in the second half, because Yaanu requested him to. With Areen coming on to the left, Yaanu moved to the right flank, from where he became a bigger threat to Gadhdhoo defenders.

Buru move up to eighth place after four matches, while Gadhdhoo remain bottom of the table without a point after five games.

The match was the opening fixture of week four of the 2026/27 Dhivehi Premier League.