Ali Thameem
STO Recreation Club have made comeback to knock out Club HDC 3-1 in last night’s semifinal.
The four-time champions have got the chance to redeem last year’s heartbreak.
An early lead by Club HDC’s Naiz Hassan put STO on the back foot. It took a minute for them to recover, as Ali Haisam drilled it into the net, assisted by Ahmed Raahil Rasheed.
The sides remained level at half-time. HDC had already reached the five-foul threshold.
A reenergized STO completed the comeback early on in the second half, as Ali Humeyz fired in a poweful strike from just outside the penalty area.
The goal that sealed the victory came from STO’s foreign player Soroush Sheikholharam Mashhadi, who fired it in from long range.
STO had a comfortable run this campaign. They have conceded just three goals so far. Two big wins in the group stage – a seven-goal thrashing of FSM and a 3-0 win over DSC – put them equal on points with Club MTCC, with whom STO drew 1-1 in the on the opening game.
STO carried their attacking prowess beyond the group stage, knocking out United BML 5-1 in the quarterfinals.
STO Recreation Club have previously won the Club Maldives Cup trophy on four occasions; 2009, 2011, and 2014. No other club has won as many titles as STO, and they are one win away from adding another one.
