Addu City, MALDIVES – Maziya Sports and Recreation Club has reached the final of Presidents Cup after beating TC Sports Club by 4-2 on penalties. Maziya’s keeper Pavel saved two penalties from TC Sports to take them to the final of most prestigious football tournament.
Maziya created their first chance in the 12th minute from Amdhaan Ali, whose header went wide from a corner kick.
Maziya came close to break the deadlock from a wonderful shot from Pablo inside the box but it was deflected for a corner kick.
Five minutes later Maziya keeper Pavel was forced to save a good shot from Rafael.
TC Sports dominated the game most of the time after the break but they failed to create a good goal scoring opportunity.
Maziya missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock from a penalty when Umair shot the penalty over the bar. Referee awarded them a penalty when Zaad brought down Imaz inside the box.
Maziya’s Irufan missed their first penalty but Moosa Yamin, Ahmed Nashid, Samdhooh and Mohamed Umair converted to goals. Maziya’s keeper Pavel saves two penalties from Naiz and Ali Nafiu. However Rafael and Iwasaki converted their penalties to a goal.
Maziya’s coach Ali Suzain said after the game that the win was a big success for them and the keeper changed the game in favour of them.
“It was a good success for Maziya even though this is not our first final in Presidents Cup. In my entire career I have never been like this much pressure during a game.”
“After the injury to keeper Imran I proposed the management to bring a foreign keeper and they made the decision very soon and it was the reason why Maziya advanced to the final of Presidents Cup.”
Suzain also reiterated his happiness to play this final against New Radiant.
“I am very happy to play this final match against New Radiant. Their coach at the moment was a player who has won the Presidents Cup with me and it would be his first final. He has proved his quality in this tournament and I have full respect for Sobah. This would be an interesting and historic final for sure.”
TC Sports coach Mohamed Nizam said that in general it was not a successful tournament for them.
“This was not a successful tournament for us. We came here to win this tournament and unfortunately we didn’t make that happen.”
Maziya will play against New Radiant in the final of Presidents Cup on Sunday at 1545 hours at Addu Football Stadium, Hithadhoo.
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