Defending champions Road Recreation Club (RRC) secured their place in the Club Maldives Cup final after edging MTCC 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final on Tuesday.
RRC will face STO after STO defeated HDC 3-1 in the first semi-final on Monday.
Ahmed Aflaz gave RRC an early lead in the fourth minute before Mohamed Isam (Shantey), equalized for MTCC six minutes later.
MTCC went ahead in the 16th minute when Brazilian Nathan Soares converted a long-range free kick following a foul. RRC levelled just before half-time through Shanaan Rashad, who also scored from a free kick.
RRC regained control early in the second half, with Adam Nasih (Aadanna) restoring the lead in the 29th minute before Iranian forward Mohsen Montazemi made it 4-2 a minute later. Montazemi was named man of the match.
MTCC pulled a goal back from the penalty spot three minutes before full-time but were unable to find an equalizer.
RRC celebrated reaching the final with supporters after the match, performing the "Viking Row" before ending the celebrations with a collective sajdah (prostration) before god.
It will be RRC's fourth consecutive appearance in the Club Maldives Cup final. The club lost the 2023 and 2024 finals to WAMCO before defeating STO to lift the title last year.
MTCC, meanwhile, exited the tournament after reaching the semi-finals, having been knocked out in the quarter-finals by STO in last year's competition.
This year's final between RRC and STO will be played at 9pm on Saturday.
