United Victory

United Victory
Full nameUnited Victory
Founded18 November 1973 (1973-11-18)
GroundNational Football Stadium, Malé
Capacity11,850
PresidentIsmail Shafeeu
Head coachMohamed Nazeeh
LeagueDhivehi Premier League
2025–26Dhivehi Premier League, 10th of 10 (relegated)

United Victory, commonly known as UV, is a Maldivian professional football club based in Malé, Maldives. Founded in 1973, the club is one of the oldest active football institutions in the country. It was originally established as a recruitment and development team by the founders of Victory Sports Club before evolving into an independently managed club.

United Victory has competed in Dhivehi Premier League since earning promotion in 2015 after crowning the 2015 Second Division Football Tournament,[1] before being relegated in 2026.[2]

History

Foundation and early years

United Victory was founded in 1973 as a developmental team associated with Victory Sports Club. During its early years, the club functioned as a feeder side intended to provide playing opportunities and development pathways for emerging footballers. Over time, the club established its own administrative and technical structure while remaining historically linked to its founding institution.[2]

For much of its early history, United Victory competed in the lower divisions of Maldivian football.

2015 Second Division championship

In 2015, United Victory won the Second Division under head coach Mohamed Nazeeh. That season followed regulatory changes introduced by the Football Association of Maldives, under which the Second Division champion received automatic promotion to the top division without a playoff.[1] United Victory became the first club to gain promotion under this revised system.[3]

2016 Premier League season

United Victory made its top-flight debut in the 2016 Dhivehi Premier League season. After promotion, Mohamed Nazeeh departed[4] to coach Victory Sports Club, and Mohamed Athif was appointed head coach.[5]

In its first Premier League campaign, United Victory finished fourth in the league standings.[6][7]

The club qualified for the President's Cup, reaching the semi-finals before being eliminated by Club Eagles.[8] United Victory also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, defeating league champions Maziya[9] in the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Club Valencia.[10] The club later lost the third-place playoff to New Radiant.[11]

League restructuring and subsequent seasons (2017–2018)

In 2017, structural reforms required first-division clubs to compete in the Malé League as a qualification phase for the Premier League. United Victory recorded one win in fourteen matches and finished at the bottom of the standings. Mohamed Athif resigned during the season,[12] and Mohamed Nazeeh returned to oversee the remainder of the campaign.[13]

Despite finishing bottom, United Victory retained first-division status after second-division finalists withdrew from the qualification playoffs.[14]

In 2018, the club again faced relegation pressure after finishing seventh in the Male’ League. United Victory entered a relegation playoff against Club Valencia and secured survival with a 4–2 aggregate victory.[15]

Consolidation period (2019–2023)

Further restructuring discontinued the Male’ League, restoring the Dhivehi Premier League as the sole top-tier competition. During this period, United Victory experienced several managerial changes, including the appointments of Mohamed Nazeeh, Mohamed Adam, and Ihsan Abdul Ghanee.

United Victory started 2019–20 season with coach Mohamed Nazeeh.[16] Upon his resignation after 11 games,[17][18] Mohamed Adam was appointed as his replacement.[19] The club finished seventh in that season.[20]

At the start of 2020–21 season, coach Mohamed Adam received assistance from Ihsan Abdul Ghanee to prepare the team for the new season.[21] Mohamed Adam resigned[22] from his post during mid-season, so they appointed Ihsan Abdul Ghanee as their head coach for the remainder of the campaign.[23] United Victory finished at the bottom of the league table; however, no relegation was implemented that season.[24] Under Ihsan Abdul Ghanee, the club finished sixth[25] in 2022.

In 2023, United Victory did not participate in the President’s Cup due to financial and licensing issues.[26] That season, under head coach Ahmed Shakir,[27] the club again finished sixth[28] in the league. The senior squad consisted exclusively of domestic players, including several promoted from the club’s youth system.[29]

2025–26 relegation

For the 2025–26 season, Mohamed Nazeeh returned as head coach. United Victory finished bottom of Dhivehi Premier League and was relegated from the top division.[30]

Stadium

United Victory plays its home matches at the National Football Stadium in Malé, Maldives. The stadium has an approximate capacity of 11,850 spectators and hosts domestic league and cup competitions.

Colours and identity

United Victory’s primary colour is pink, which is featured prominently in its home kits. Yellow and black are used as secondary colours in alternate kits and official branding.

Youth development

The club operates academy teams that participate in Football Association of Maldives youth competitions across multiple age groups. In recent seasons, academy graduates have formed a significant portion of the senior squad.

Current squad

As of 18 January 2022[31]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  MDV Ali Shaiban
2 DF  MDV Mohamed Razaan Ibrahim
3 DF  MDV Shifan Hassan
4 FW  MDV Musannif Mohamed
7 FW  MDV Ali Haisam
10 MF  MDV Ahmed Samaah
11 FE  MDV Ahmed Bassam Mohamed Naeem
12 MF  MDV Naavy Mohamed
13 MF  MDV Abdulla Amin Ali
14 DF  MDV Adil Abdul Rahman
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW  MDV Areen Abdulla Ibrahim
22 DF  MDV Moosa Azeem Hassan
23 MF  MDV Ali Hamdhaan
25 GK  MDV Tholaal Hassan
27 FW  MDV Mohamed Reehaan
28 GK  MDV Ahmed Anaf Zariyand
29 DF  MDV Adam Nuhad
30 DF  MDV Mohamed Zain Shujau
35 FW  MDV Ibrahim Ilan Ismail
57 FW  CMR Mohamed Idrissou

Honours

Domestic

Second Division

References

  1. ^ a b c "United Victory promoted to DPL". maldivesoccer.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b "United Victory relegated after draw with Valencia". The Edition. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b "United Victory promoted to First Division" (in Divehi). V News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Nazeeh leaves Victory" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  5. ^ "UV starts parctice with Athy" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  6. ^ "UV secures top 4 despite losing the final game to New Radiant" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  7. ^ "UV not an easy team, 4th in both competitions" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Eagles edge UV to reach final" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  9. ^ "UV reaches semi, eliminating Maziya" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Valencia beats UV to reach final" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  11. ^ "New Radiant win over UV in FA Cup third place playoff" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  12. ^ "UV coach Athy resigns" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Nazeeh to coach UV again" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  14. ^ "KHU scores 11 against Capital City" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Valencia relegated from top flight". Boalha MV. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  16. ^ "UV appoints Nazeeh, Mohan to Eagles" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Nazeeh to leave UV after Victory game" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Victory failed to show up - Nazeeh's last game did not go the way he wanted" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Mohamed Adam appointed as UV coach" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  20. ^ "UV beat TC" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  21. ^ "Saanthy helping UV coaching team" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  22. ^ "UV coach resigned after draw. SUS coach to be terminated?" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Saanthy to coach UV until end of the season" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  24. ^ "UV leaves their foreign players" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Valencia finished 3rd after defeating UV" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  26. ^ "President's Cup postponed!" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  27. ^ "Youth football specialist Shakittey to coach UV, says there's no pressure!" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  28. ^ "Situation is tough, but UV ends the campaign with a win" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  29. ^ "More youth players means improvement to Maldives football: Shakittey" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  30. ^ "UV relegated, pressure for Valencia" (in Divehi). Mihaaru. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  31. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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