Ali Thameem
New Radiant’s Cup Winners’ Cup title defense, eighteen years in the making, have ended in heartbreak, as Maziya Sports and Recreation lifts the trophy for the very first time.
The Green Boys defeated the four-time champions on penalties, after tonight’s final match ended in a 2-2 draw.
This was the third time the two clubs went head-to-head this season, and it was the third time they ran into a stalemate at full-time. Charity Shield had ended in a 3-3 draw, and their game previously in the Cup had ended 1-1.
In a high-scoring first half which saw four goals, Maziya took the lead twice only for New to catch up twice. Maziya were quick to open up the New defense line. On an early counter-attack built up from defending a corner kick, with involvement of Aiham and Looth, and with the assist from Ibrahim Mahudhee’s low cross from the left, it was Ilan Imran who finished it off with his left foot to open the scoring.
Twelve minutes later, New Radiant equalized with a beautiful chip from Ali Fasir. Courtesy of Yaya Billity, who pulled in four Maziya defenders towards the centre before delivering the assist to Sentey. Upon receiving it unmarked on the edge of the area, Fasir lobbed and curled the ball which flew over the goakeeper, dipping into the far corner of the net.
With a combination between Ahmed Aiham and Abdhulla Looth Ibrahim (Sane’), Maziya took the lead back in the 28th minute. Sneaking past the New defense line on the left flank to match with Sane’s through ball, Aiham cut inside to take on a New Radiant defender before squeezing the ball into the near post.
Fasir’s second equalizer was similar to his first – scored from the left and with one touch of the ball. An interception from Billity led to Da Silva rolling the ball for Fasir to hit it into the near post. Hussain Shareef was able to get his gloves on the ball but the strike was too powerful and came from too close a range.
In the shootout, all four of Maziya’s penalty takers Ilan, Haisham, Aisam and Benjamin Thomas Kuku, were able to score in their attempts. New Radiant’s Da Silva and Ahmed Abdhulla converted. Their top scorer Dorielton, however, hit it wide, and so did Moosa Yaamin.
At the closing ceremony, Maziya goalkeeper Hussain Shareef was awarded player of the final match award, and Winger Ahmed Aiham was named Player of the Tournament.
Both finalists were unbeaten in all three games of the league stage. Both had defeated the two other teams in the Cup – Odi Sports Club and Buru Sports Club. The only tie seen was in their head-to-head game on Sunday night. With both New and Maziya tied with seven points each, New Radiant topped the table on goal difference.
