Ali Thameem
Male’ City has defeated K.Guraidhoo in last night’s quarterfinal game of the NInety Plus Gold Cup. The game was decided in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 stalemate at full-time.
Guraidhoo scored the opening goal midway through the first half. Ahmed Ibrahim Abbas struck from the edge of the six-yard box. An interception from Guraidhoo’s high press set up the loose ball for Abbas to shoot from close range.
Three minutes into the second, Male’ city equalized from a freekick. Khalil’s in-swing ball found the net after it was deflected off the head of Numan (Helmet), registering it as an own goal by the Guraidhoo centre-back.
Penalty shootout
Khalil stepped up for Male’ City and scored the first penalty. Tholal Hassan, Male’ City’s goalkeeper, saved Naaim’s penalty, and Guraidhoo goalkeeper Ahmed Sameer kept out Shuaib’s penalty for Male’. Guraidhoo’s Shayaam took their second penalty kick and equalized. Ahunaf’s low shot to the right brushed off Sameer’s gloves before finding the net. Guraidhoo’s Ahmed Shuoon hit the roof of the net, and so did the next taker for Male’ City, Ismail Wajeeh. After Wajje scored, Male’ City’s goalkeeper Tholal saved another, setting it up for Rilwan Waheed to score and send Male’ City into the semifinal of the Gold Cup.
As one of three teams from Kaafu Atoll playing in the quarterfinals, Guraidhoo exits from the Gold Cup despite having one of the best defensive records; ending the group stage with joint-fewest (3) goals conceded among all seventeen teams. Guraidhoo topped Group E defeating both Fuvahmulah and Thimarafushi in clean-sheeted wins.
Male’ City is two wins away from the Ninety-Plus Gold Cup trophy, as they face Eydhafushi yet again – the capital of Baa Atoll had defeated Male’ City 2-0 in the group stage. The home side will seek vengeance on Saturday evening’s semifinal game.
Today’s quarterfinal games are as follows:
15:50 – Fuvahmulah City vs R.Alifushi
21:00 – Addu City vs K.Maafushi
