In a night to remember at the Galolhu National Stadium, B. Eydhafushi claimed the inaugural Gold Cup title with a commanding 2-0 victory over Addu City. The thrilling final showcased the brilliance of the Fasir brothers, with Mohamed Fasir (Faattey) and Ali Fasir (Sentey) delivering the decisive goals.
Mohamed Fasir, who was later crowned Player of the Tournament, opened the scoring late in the first half with a precise header off a corner delivered by Hamza Mohamed (Hampu). His younger sibling, Sentey, sealed the win in the final moments, capitalizing on a counterattack as Addu City pushed all players forward in a desperate attempt to equalize.
The Gold Cup trophy was presented by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the chief guest of the event, in front of a raucous crowd of approximately 5,000 fans. The electric atmosphere, rare in Maldivian football recently, underscored the tournament’s success in reigniting passion for the sport.
Organized by the private entity Ninety Plus, the Gold Cup was a departure from the traditional Maldives league system. Open to teams from all islands and cities, the competition aimed to revive dwindling fan engagement amidst ongoing corruption issues within the Football Association of Maldives (FAM). Currently under a FIFA normalization committee, the FAM plans to launch a revamped local league next February. However, the league’s historical focus on capital-based teams has hindered its ability to garner widespread support. The Gold Cup’s success highlighted the potential for a more inclusive approach to domestic football.
Eydhafushi’s dominance in the final was evident from the start. Addu City, cautious of Eydhafushi’s speed, refrained from adopting a high defensive line or aggressive tactics. Their efforts were further hampered by injuries to key players, forcing coach Ibrahim Mahudhee Hussein (Feydhoo Ibbe), nursing a muscle injury, into action. Despite his valiant efforts, Mahudhee was unable to influence the game significantly.
The first breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Faattey’s unmarked header found the top corner. Addu City’s captain, Shamweel Qasim (Bonda), aged 42, led a determined effort in the second half, but the team struggled to convert their chances. Their best opportunity came when Feydhoo Ibbe’s cross reached Ibrahim Waheed Hassan, who passed to Ismail Easa for a shot that lacked power.
As the clock ticked down, Eydhafushi adopted a defensive posture to protect their slim lead. In the 90th minute, a swift counterattack saw Sentey slot the ball past the Addu goalkeeper, securing the 2-0 win and the prestigious title.
The Gold Cup’s success has sparked optimism for the future of football in the Maldives, with fans and organizers calling for greater inclusion of islands and atolls in domestic competitions. For now, B. Eydhafushi’s historic triumph will be remembered as a beacon of hope for the revival of the sport.
