Ali Thameem
The tournament draw of Gold Cup has been held tonight.
Although 22 teams had initially registered, the 17 teams were present at tonight’s draw ceremony.
The five teams that retracted their names were: A.A. Thoddoo, H.Dh.Neykurendhoo, Lh.Hinnavaru, F.Nilandhoo and G.A.Dhevvadhoo.
Three of the four groups in the Gold Cup will have four teams competing in the round-robin, except for group A, which has five teams.
Group A – Fuvahmulah City, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, G.Dh.Faresmaathoda, Dh.Meedhoo
Group B – Male’ City, Th.Thimarafushi, B.Eydhafushi, B.Thulhaadho
Group C – Addu City, Lh. Kurendhoo, K.Huraa, K.Guraidhoo
Group D – Lh. Naifaru, K.Maafushi, B.Kendhoo, R.Alifushi
Two Rounds of Group Stage
The group stage of Gold Cup will see a double round-robin. However, the bottom team in each group (and two teams from group A) after round one will be eliminated. The second round will determine the two teams from each group that will qualify for the knock-out stage; the third team being knocked out.
All games of the Gold Cup will take place in the Galolhu National Stadium in Male’, and will continue until the 25th of December. While each team is allowed to recruit two players from outside the island/city, some of the teams have scouted foreign players.
The inter-island football tournament – organized by Ninety-Plus and Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation – is scheduled to kick off this Wednesday. As the purpose of this brand new tournament is to revive the footballing spirit in the country, some of the individuals behind the initiative include experienced coaches, such as Mohamed Shaazly (Shaaz) and Ali Nishtar Mohamed.
