Mohamed Zayaan Zahir
Mathiveri have been crowned champions of the AA Atoll in the FAM Futsal Atoll Championship, defeating Bodu Folhudhoo 1-0 in the final last night.
The decisive goal, the only one of the game, came early in the first half, with Ali Alsan finding the net to give Mathiveri the lead. Playing under coach Ahmed Thahaa, Mathiveri held on to claim the North Ari title, with Alsan also named the Player of the Match.
Bodu Folhudhoo and Mathiveri were the two teams taking part in the North Ari Atoll Championship. Both sides had already secured the two allocated slots in the the zone round.
With North Ari Atoll’s tournament now concluded, eight atolls have completed their respective championships.
The Atoll Championship began in the first week of August in Baa Atoll, with six teams competing. Champions Eydhafushi and runners-up Thulhaadhoo secured qualification to the zonal round. In Lhaviyani Atoll, Hinnavaru won the title after defeating Naifaru in the final, while Dhaavafaru were crowned champions of Raa Atoll after beating Inguraidhoo.
In Noonu Atoll, Magoodhoo N Sports emerged champions after defeating Manadhoo in the final, with four teams taking part. Six teams competed in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, where Hanimaadhoo defeated Naivaadhoo in the final. Ihavandhoo were crowned champions of Haa Alif Atoll after defeating Filladhoo.
A total of 59 islands are taking part in the Atoll Championship. The top two teams from each atoll are to move on to the zonal stage; the qualifiying stage of their respective regional leagues. The top two teams from each zone advance to the regional league. The champions of each regional league will then qualify for the Maldives Futsal League.
The FAM’s futsal structure, just as in football, divides the country into four regions: North, Central, South and Malé.
The North Region comprises Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa and Lhaviyani atolls. The Central Region comprises Kaafu, Alif Alif, Alif Dhaalu, Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu and Dhaalu atolls. The South Region comprises Thaa, Laamu, Gaafu Alif, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani and Addu City, while Greater Malé is treated as a separate region.
Shaviyani in the North Region, Vaavu in the Central Region, and Addu City in the South Region each entered only one team in the Atoll Championship. These teams therefore automatically qualified for the zonal round. And given the fact that Fuvahmulah is the only island in Gnaviyani Atoll, they get a ‘bye’ to the qualifying round as well. Similarly, only one team had participated in the Malé Region, who also receives a ‘bye’ to the next round.
The inaugural Maldives Futsal League will feature 12 teams. Alongside the four regional champions, the remaining eight places will go to the strongest eight teams from the Club Maldives Cup.
