Maalhos League returns today after a three year absence. Changed from an 8-aside tournament to 9-aside, Maalhos League perhaps is the reason for the abundance of talent in Aa. Maalhos.

Defending Champions Dhandi United returns to defend their title though Dhandi Sports look the strongest side on paper. Any who knows anything about football in Maalhos wouldn't rule out Vaanuvaa, the champions of 2015. Both the Alpha sides, Alpha and Alpha Wowo are new comers.

Anything can happen in football, Alpha with two Premier League players Hassan Fuad(Jack) of Foakaidhoo FC and the Ahmed Wajeeh(Wajje) of Victory Sports Club can trouble any defense line in the region let alone Maalhos. Wajje a former junior national team trainee is joined by his brother Ismail Wajeeh(Kuda Wajje) also a former Under-16 National Team player. Hassan Hamdhoon(Humpty) who was invited to join the Maldives Under-19 national team earlier this year after good performances for Foakaidhoo Under-21's is also joined by Ali Falah(Alikko) of United Victory Under-21. For their brothers in Alpha Wowo, Ali Shahil(Shaattey) could be the key man. The other well known player for Alpha Wowo is Ali Ziyan(Metti). Known as the next 'Aari', Metti trained briefly with the Maldives Under-16 team a couple years back.

Ahmed Arif(Aari)is one of the best players of Maalhos. Former TC Sports player is a deadly finisher, together with midfield maestro Ibrahim Naif(Naappe), Dhandi Sports might just about beat their way to the top. Naappe, Maalhos Sports Club captain is one of the best defensive midfielders in 2017 Dhivehi Premier League, the defensive midfielder managed to score three Premier League goals appearing in every minute of Maalhos' DPL campaign. Maalhos vice captain Ali Naiz, a rock in defense will be joined by Hassan Haamidh cool headed creative defender.

Ahmed Amjad was few games away from a senior Maldives national team call-up before he returned to Maalhos, the Foakaidhoo FC wing-back has been Dhivehi Premier League's most attacking left sided defenders this season. He captains the side with Ibrahim Zameer(Ibu) former Valencia goalkeeper who is feared in the region. Maalhos Premier League players Ali Waseem(Ayyu), the tireless winger and his solid team-mate Mohamed Shafraz(Satte) will be joined by TC Sports' Abdul Wahid(Waadu). Vaanuvaa will be hard to stop with all the speedy players in the side.

These four teams will no doubt give a tough time to the defending Champions Dhandi United. Former Huraa striker Adam Sajid is one of the most powerful target strikers in the region. Experienced player Mohamed Athif(Heena) will provide opportunities for the powerful front man. Maalhos DPL campaign's vice captain Ahmed Razunee(Ranni) best known for marking Ali Ashfaq(Dhagandey) in 2017's DPL will provide the foundation at the back. Former Eagles and Maldives Under-23 striker Hussain Athif(Pele') would perhaps be one of the most exciting talents on show in the Maalhos League 2019.

Photo: Maalhos League