Ali Thameem
TC Sports Club has knocked out four-time champions Victory Sports Club in this evening’s quarterfinal game of the FA Cup.
TC is the third team to qualify for the semifinals – the first two spots were taken by New Radiant SC and third-tiered Blue SC in Friday’s quarterfinal games.
Following a goalless forty five minutes, Victory broke the deadlock in the third minute of extra time, as Ibrahim Rizuvan fired a volley through the centre of the box.
TC did not trail behind for long. Three minutes after second half kicked off, a cross from TC’s Nigerian winger Ibrahim Jimo had resulted in an own goal by Ali Shaamis.
Most of the second half went with neither team making a serious threat. TC took the lead in the 88th minute, as substitute Aiham Hamdhoon scored with a cross from the right wing.
Half-time substitute Mohamed Dhaanish Ibrahim dealt the final blow, scoring the third goal in the 93rd minute. Following a solo dribble, Jimo had placed it inside the area for Dhaanish to fire a left-footed strike into the roof of the net.
Victory had struggled to keep its form consistent towards the end of the season. They narrowly escaped relegation play-offs, courtesy of a one-goal difference with TC – both had ended the season on 21 points.
TC had one of the strongest finish to this season’s Dhivehi Premier League, winning all of their games in the final four fixtures.
Their FA Cup semifinal opponents will be decided after the game between Maziya SR and Buru SC tonight.
