Ali Thameem
Winners of the South Ari Atoll shield of the FAM Futsal Atoll Championship were decided Wednesday night, as Dhangethi won it over Mandhoo at home.
As the only contenders of the atoll with ten inhabited islands, Mandhoo and Dhangethi had to play just the final to contend for the shield.
Following a goalless first half, a blunder almost cost Dhangethi the title, as Mandhoo scored the opener in the fifth minute of the second half. With a one-on-one with the goalie following an interception, Ismail Shiyaz gave Mandhoo the lead.
Mandhoo were seconds away from winning the game, and the shield, when the home side equalized on a last-gasp counter-attack. With a solo dribble up the field, Razaan’s strike was rebounded by the goalkeeper before Ahmed Sudhais Ali tapped it in to take the game to penalties.
The home side won the resulting shootout by four to three, winning the South Ari title. Both Dhangethi and Mandhoo are now in the qualifying stage for the Central League.
Just as South Ari, the North Ari Atoll Championship was decided by a single game – a confrontation between Mathiveri and Bodu Folhudhoo this Tuesday night. Mathiveri took home the title with an early lead by Ali Alsan.
Other Atoll Championships within the Central Region are underway, with both Faafu and Kaafu championships kicking off earlier this week. Dhaalu and Meemu are set to kick off their respective championships on Thursday and Friday.
