Maldivian football has broken a seven-year drought for international glory, lifting the South Asian Super Cup 2025 Championship with a 4–1 aggregate victory over Sri Lanka.

The tournament, originally scheduled with four nations, narrowed to a two-team final between Maldives and Sri Lanka. In the first leg at Colombo’s Race Course Stadium on September 6, Maldives delivered a commanding 3–0 win. The return leg on Tuesday evening ended in a 1–1 draw, enough to seal the title.

Maldives created three clear chances in the opening 15 minutes but had to wait until the 66th minute to break through, when Ibrahim Mahudhy’s header off an Ali Fasir cross was deflected into the net by Naiz Hassan. Maldives found their equalizer in the dying moments of the match.

This marks Maldives’ first international triumph since the 2018 SAFF Championship in India, a victory many hope will revive the nation’s footballing spirit after years of decline.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu congratulated the team on X, praising the players and expressing pride in the national team’s success.