Male' Maldives: Futsal fans witnessed history on Monday night as Portuguese legend Ricardinho made his much-anticipated debut in the Club Maldives Cup 2025, guiding Club HDC to a 2-1 victory over Stelco RC in an intense Group C clash.
Regarded as one of the greatest futsal players of all time, Ricardinho’s appearance on a Maldivian court was more than just a high-profile signing, it was a moment that symbolized the growing ambition and global reach of the local futsal scene. Dozens turned up to witness the six-time world’s best futsal player in action, marking a milestone night in the history of the tournament.
HDC struck early, with Ricardinho wasting no time to make an impact. The Portuguese magician weaved his way through defenders before laying off a pinpoint assist to Khalil Gamal, who calmly finished to give HDC the lead.
However, Stelco refused to roll over. They regrouped in the second half and found an equalizer through Ahunaf Rasheed (Ahukko), who finished smartly after a flowing team move. But the joy was short-lived. A defensive mix-up in the closing minutes allowed Hussain Shareef (Only) to pounce, firing home the winner and claiming the Man of the Match title on his return to the tournament.
With Ooredoo’s withdrawal reducing Group C to just three teams, the win puts HDC in a strong early position ahead of their next game against MTCC.
Elsewhere, Group D delivered goals and drama. Maldivian opened their campaign in dominant fashion, thrashing Team FSM 6-1. The star of the match was Ibrahim Nadad (Kudatte), who bagged a stunning hat-trick. Goals from Ismail Ahmed, Yazdhan Ibrahim, and Mohamed Abdulla added to the tally, while Abdulla Looth Ibrahim grabbed a late consolation for FSM.
In the group’s second fixture, Team Fenaka, returning after a one-year absence, made a strong statement with a composed 2-0 win over Prison Club.
Eaman Nazeer opened the scoring from a tight angle in the first half, and the result was sealed in the dying moments when Ahmed Haleem (Ammadey) converted a penalty following a foul on Azzam Abdulla (Edu).
The Club Maldives Cup 2025 has only just begun, but the tone has been set. With global stars on the pitch and local heroes rising, the tournament promises a thrilling journey ahead.
