Victory Can Only Be Called a Big Team Again After Winning a Trophy: Mohan

Victory Sports Club coach Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) has said he does not accept that the club is currently among the Maldives' big teams, and that it must win a trophy to return to that position. Victory last won a trophy in 2011, the President's Cup. Before that, the team was one of the most successful in the Maldives. Victory has been noted as a trophy-winning team, but in recent times the club was also relegated to the Second Division because of a suspension. The team is now playing in the First Division for the second consecutive season, after playing two seasons in the Second Division. "For this long period, Victory had been in a very weak condition. We are talking about the work done to climb to that position. Therefore, unless it climbs back to that position, it cannot yet be called a big team. The first thing to rise to that position is a championship, a success, or winning a trophy. Otherwise it is still just a name. Victory is a big name, but in order to be able to say that it is on a par with the successes recently achieved by teams that have risen, it must play finals and also win trophies. After going so long without success, it can only be called a big team by achieving success," Mohan said. Mohan further noted in the press that the point obtained in the most recent match against Mazia Sports & Recreation was an encouraging point, and that the point was important to establish the level of the team. Victory has not lost a single match so far. "Up to the Mazia match, Victory had not played a match against any of the teams considered strong. Until that match, we did not know exactly where the team truly was. We also did not know at what level our fitness was. The fact that we were able to draw that match truly was a huge satisfaction. From there, Victory knew that it could compete. However, there is still plenty of time; we are talking about the beginning of a season," Mohan said in the pre-match press. Experienced coach Mohan said that in order to maintain consistency during the season they will have to work hard. In addition, Mohan also said that the team's fitness level needs to be improved more than it is now. That will improve by playing many competitive matches. He also said that Victory not having the opportunity to play in the Cup Winners' Cup has affected fitness. Regarding Bisi Buru, Mohan said that they need to be mindful of that team. The picture emerging from the league also is that no match can be taken lightly, Mohan said. He also said that seeing strong foreign players means the league's competitiveness will increase. The match in which Bisi Buru and Victory will compete starts today at 4:00 p.m.