In the quarter-finals of the Golden Futsal Challenge 2025, L. Gan advanced to the semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout win against defending champions B. Eydhafushi.
The match ended 2-2 in regular time, leading to a 4-3 victory for Gan in the shootout. Eydhafushi initially took the lead in the first half with goals from Nisham Mohamed Rasheed and Muaz Ali. However, Gan’s Hassan Fawaaz, later named Player of the Match, scored twice in the second half to equalize.
A major controversy arose during the penalty shootout when Eydhafushi player Mohamed Ajufan stepped in as goalkeeper, replacing Abdulla Nasih. After Ajufan saved Ahmed Haleem (Anmadey)’s penalty, referees Ahmed Shiham and Ali Faiz ruled that the ball had not crossed the line. This led to a heated protest from Gan’s bench, who stormed the field in disagreement. After reviewing video footage presented by Gan’s assistant coach Ibrahim Rasheed, the referees overturned their decision 10 minutes later.
This reversal triggered frustration from Eydhafushi’s officials, resulting in red cards for their manager Salman Waheed and two officials, Ali Shifau and Mohamed Jazlan Jadulla. Police were called in to remove the red-carded officials, causing a 25-minute delay before the penalty resumed.
In the penalties, Hussain Shareef and Ahmed Ashraf Yoosuf successfully converted for Eydhafushi, while Ali Naseem’s shot was saved, and Haffaf Sidghy missed the target. For Gan, Fawaaz, Ali Shamis, and Mohamed Razan scored, securing their place in the semi-finals against HDh. Naivaadhoo.
Naivaadhoo defeated ADh. Mahibadhoo in a high-scoring 7-4 match. Mohamed Shain netted a hat-trick, Ahmed Hameed scored twice, and Yousuf Shaif and Abdulla Wisam added a goal each. Mahibadhoo’s goals came from Adam Fahman, who scored a hat-trick, and Adam Nail.
The second semi-final will see GDh. Vaadhoo face K. Kaashidhoo.
Kaashidhoo made a comeback to defeat Vilimale 3-2. Abdulla Shaffan (Shaka) and Ismail Wifag had put Vilimale ahead, but Ajlan Abdul Hannan and Ismail Rayan secured the win for Kaashidhoo. Ajlan, who scored twice, was named Player of the Match.
Meanwhile, Vaadhoo triumphed over AA. Mathiveri on penalties after a 4-4 draw in regular time. Mohamed Nail scored twice for Vaadhoo, with Ayaz Ahmed and Abdulla Ahil Ali adding one each. Ayaz equalized with just 42 seconds left on the clock.
For Mathiveri, Mohamed Shafraz netted two goals, while goalkeeper Mohamed Imran and Ali Alsan also scored. However, in the penalty shootout, only Alsan and Ahmed Firash converted their attempts, while Vaadhoo’s Ahil, Yazdan Ibrahim, Mohamed Iyad Ali, and Ahmed Shaihan Jaleel secured the victory.
The semi-final matches will take place Friday night at Hulhumale Rehendi Turf Ground, with the final set for Tuesday night.
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