Road Development Corporation (RDC) defeated former champion’s United BML in Thursday’s match and have advanced to the second stage of the Club Maldives Cup.

The fierce match between the two teams ended as 2-1 with RDC coming on top. In this group’s other match, Club HDC had easily defeated Fen Club (MWSC) 6-1.

RDC’s captain for this match was Ibrahim Maisaan (Mai). He was the man-of-the-match.

Not long after the match started, BML’s Ishaan Ibrahim (Sattu) had gotten a golden opportunity in front of goal, but his shot had hit the post and went out. At the 11th minute, RDC’s Ibrahim Asvadh (Gabey) scored the first goal of the match.

Within the first 5 minutes of the second half, RDC’s Bichad had scored another goal for them and increased their lead. He wonderfully dribbled past a BML player and sent the ball between BML’s keeper Mohamed Shafeeu (Cech)’s legs into the goal. This is Bichad’s second goal of the tournament.

BML had then pushed forward in search of a goal. They had gotten a freekick close to the goal but Ibrahim Sinaah (Sina)’s shot had hit the post. After all their effort, they had finally scored a goal, but it was at the last minute of the match. This goal was scored by Huzaifath Rasheed (Huzey).

BML had gotten another golden opportunity to equalize in the last few seconds of the match. Sina had stolen the ball off of Gabey near the middle of the pitch. He advanced forward but his pass to Huzey was overhit. He even had the chance to shoot by himself, but after his pass had gone out of play, the final whistle had blown.

In HDC’s match, their goals were scored by the man-of-the-match Mohamed Liyaah, Hassan Suhail, Ibrahim Rimaah (Rimey), Mohamed Rifuath (Rippe), Mohamed Sujaan Ahmed, and Ismail Wifaag (Isse). Fen Club’s only goal was scored by Ahmed Rayyan. This is the first goal that HDC has conceded in the whole tournament.

Group D’s first place HDC has won all their matches and earned 9 points. Second place RDC has 6 points, third place BML has 3 points, and fourth place Fen Club finished the tournament without a point.

FSM, who had already secured a spot in the second stage lost against Dhiraagu 0-1. FSM had played the matches with a few changes last night. This match’s only goal was scored in the second half by Dhiraagu’s Ali Haishan (Chumpu).

Dhiraagu had gotten a chance in the last few minutes to increase their lead. FSM had committed 5 fouls so Dhiraagu got a penalty. However, Chumpu’s shot was stopped by FSM’s goalkeeper Murrath Adam.

In this group’s other match, Club Immigration had defeated Planning Ministry 5-4. However, Immigration did not go to the next round. They would have gone to the second round if they had beaten Planning Ministry with a big goal difference and if FSM had won against Dhiraagu. But since Dhiraagu had beaten FSM, there was no hope for Immigration to advance.

Immigration’s goals were scored by Adam Azmeen who scored 2 goals, Ahmed Ashfaan (Ashko), Hussain Niyaz, and Ahmed Farrah (Farra). Planning Ministry’s goals were scored by Ibrahim Noora’dheen (Endin), Mohamed Mauroof Hussain, and Hussain Nazeer who scored 2 goals.

Dhiraagu is at the top of this group with 7 points. Second place FSM has 6 points. Third place Immigration has 4 points while last place planning Ministry did not earn a point.