Ali Thameem
Maziya Sports and Recreation got back to winning ways last night, as the Green Boys defeated Club Valencia by 3-0.
Winning eleven games in twelve, the DPL table leaders have now scored 34 points with six fixtures remaining.
Two of the three goals last night were scored in the first half. All three goals were assisted by the teenager Ilan Imran, who was called up to replace Sergio Igelsias in the fifteenth minute.
Maziya’s first goal was scored by Hassan Nazeem – a left-footed shot from the left corner of the penalty box, after Ilan cut through the defense line and rolled the ball.
For his second assist, Ilan placed a rebound shot from Hampu back to him, from inside the six yard box.
The third goal was scored in the 80th minute, in quite the similar style – Ilan made a run to the near post to received an inward cross by Ahmed Aiham from the left flank, then placed it with one touch for an unmarked Hamza to curl it into the far corner of the net.
Ilan first introduced himself to the Dhivehi Premier League in the 2023 season, making his debut in the yellow jersey of Valencia at just 14 years, 2 months and 28 days of age. He holds the records for the youngest to assist and youngest to score in the league’s history.
He also holds the record of the youngest player to score a brace in a DPL game, which he achieved back in October against Green Streets. He was 16 years 9 months and 8 days old at the time.
