New Radiant lifts League title

Male', MALDIVES - New Radiant SC lifts Dhiraagu Dhivehi League for a third consecutive year tonight. New Radiant who was declared to Champions when they came out to tonight’s game against Maziya in the last game of the League, ended in a 1 -1 draw.

Ibrahim Abdulla scored the first goal of the game for Maziya just eight minutes after the kick-off, but Sifan leveled the game a while later.

New Radiant lost only one game in the league while counted tonight’s game as a draw and won all other games out of 19 matches played to gather total 52 points. Maziya followed the Blues in second position with 45 points.

In the eighth minute of the game Ibrahim Abdullah (Ibbe) brought Maziya to lead with a fine header drilled in to left bottom corner of the goal through Nashid’s corner kick.

Seven minutes later Sifan leveled the game for New Radiant after converting Umair’s corner kick in to the goal. Sifan well headed the corner kick in to goal while keeper Imran was freeze.

Umair beat his marker and tried with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area in the 22nd minute, but keeper Imran punched the ball to clear the danger.

Seven minutes remaining in the first half Abu gave a good pass to unmarked Ashad Ali inside the penalty area, but Ashad’s shot was saved by keeper Imran.

Two minutes later Imran made another good save on Ashad’s long-range shot from outside the penalty area. Imran dived and saved the ball.

Eight minutes after the break Assadhulla tested Imran with a powerful shot from edge of the penalty area, Imran punched the ball and snap it on second attempt.

In the final minutes of the game Maziya appealed for a penalty kick, when Abu went down after a clash with Sifan, but Referee denied the attempt.

Nine minutes remaining in the clock Imran made a superb save on Ibrahim’s header to keep New Radiant on safe side. Imran caught the ball from just near the goal line.

In the other end Maziya keeper made a good save on Umair’s close range header, supplied by Akram’s left flank cross.

Four minutes remaining in the clock Umair could have brought New Radiant to lead, but keeper Imran blocked his header and when Akram headed the rebounded ball it went over the crossbar.

After the match New Radiant SC was awarded with the league Shield, Chief Guest of the event, Minister of Presidents’ Office Mr.Mohamed Hussain Shareef handed the trophy to the Champions.