Maldives’ football champion team Maziya Sports and Recreation Club has begun training with their newly appointed foreign coach, Dragan Dukanovic.

The club’s training sessions commenced at the Galolhu National Stadium on Sunday.

Maziya appointed Dukanovic, 54, as their new coach last Wednesday.

Dukanovic was hired for the team in preparation for the upcoming AFC Challenge League.

Maziya has started training for the AFC Challenge League, slated to kick off in October.

The team has been placed in a strong group for the tournament.

Maziya’s group also includes Al Arabi of Kuwait, FC Arkadag of Turkmenistan and FC Abdysh Ata Kant of Kazakhstan. All the four teams will play all their group matches in Kuwait. Maziya will take on FC Arkadag in their opening match on October 26. The second match will be played against Al Arabi on October 29. Maziya’s third match will be against FC Abdysh, on November 1.