Gold Cup group stage ends as Alifushi defeats 10-man Male’ City

Alifushi came back from behind to defeat Male’ City 3-1 this evening in the final group stage game of the Ninety Plus Gold Cup.

Ali Shareef, the centreback of Male’ City, scored a header from a corner kick in the 2nd minute of the game.

Alifushi equalized forty minutes later; a freekick from Alifushi captain Mohamed Rasheed (Hockey) took a deflection off a defender’s head before finding the net.

Male’ City was down to ten men just two minutes into the second half, as Fayaz was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Alifushi completed the comeback 10 minutes later; substitute Salaam tapped in a low cross into the roof of the net.

Alifushi’s Husaam scored the third goal a few minutes later, after dodging past the goalkeeper.

Male’ City and Alifushi both started today’s game having already qualified for the quarterfinals. Alifushi tops the Group with six points with this evening’s win. The Raa Atoll’s sole participant will face Fuvahmulah City on Thursday evening.

Home side Male’ City dropped points for just the second time in the Group stage, as they end up as runner-ups of Group G with 3 points.

The capital city will face its Kaafu Atoll neighbours Guraidhoo in the quarterfinal game on Wednesday night.