The Round of 16 stage of the Club Maldives Cup 2025 lived up to expectations with high-intensity matches, surprise results, and a flood of goals, as STO RC, Club MTCC, MPL, and Team Fenaka booked their places in the quarter-finals.
One of the most anticipated clashes saw four-time champions STO RC knock out the two-time defending champions Club WAMCO in a tightly contested match that ended 2-2 in regulation time before STO prevailed 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout.
WAMCO took the lead early in the second half through Mohamed Fasir (Faatte), but STO’s captain Huzaifath Rasheed (Huzey) responded with a stunning top-corner strike to level the score. Iranian midfielder Ali Reza then gave WAMCO a 2-1 lead with a well-executed set-piece, only for Huzey to once again find the equalizer during STO’s powerplay phase. In the penalty shootout, WAMCO struggled to convert their chances, missing three of six penalties, including crucial misses by Iranian duo Ali Reza and Soleimani Ehsan, while STO remained composed with successful spot kicks from Ahmed Rahil Rasheed, Iyan Ahmed Rasheed, Ismail Easa (Messi), and Ali Ifaz to secure their quarter-final berth.
In another standout Round of 16 tie, MTCC delivered an impressive attacking display to defeat Dhivehi Sifainge Club (DSC) 5-2.
MTCC started strongly with early goals from Mohamed Shaain and Mohamed Isham, but DSC fought back as Soroush Sheikholram and Iyas Ali brought the match level at 2-2. MTCC regained control and sealed the game with a dominant second-half performance, as Isham scored his second and was joined on the scoresheet by Jumail Jaleel (Jumbe) and Ayaaz Ahmed (Ayaa), ensuring a comfortable passage to the last eight.
MPL also secured a quarter-final spot with a 5-3 win over Team FSM in a high-scoring encounter. The standout performer was Mohamed Saad Nizar, who scored a sensational hat-trick, while teammate Mohamed Zeedhan Zuhuree and Iranian Saman Dashan also found the net. FSM showed resilience with goals from Mohamed Nafiu Ahmed, Abdulla Looth Ibrahim (Sane'), and Mohamed Maakin, but MPL’s offensive depth proved decisive.
In the most dramatic and chaotic match of the round, Fenaka overcame Police Club after an astonishing 6-6 draw in regulation time, winning 4-2 in the penalty shootout. The match was a goal fest from start to finish, with both teams also receiving red cards in an intense battle. Fenaka’s goals came from Azzam Abdulla (Edu), who netted twice, and single efforts from Hazim Fauzy (Hathi), Eaman Nazeer, Ahmed Ajuwad, and Hassan Azoomu Ali. Police responded in kind, with Ajulaan Abdul Hannaan scoring a brace and further goals from Hussain Afkhaan, Aiman Nazeer, Mohamed Ahusaam, and Abaan Mohamed.
In the shootout, Police managed to convert only two penalties, while Fenaka scored all four through Azzam, Ahmed Haleem (Ammadey), Mohamed Inshal, and Eaman, booking their place in the quarter-finals.
With these results, the quarter-final stage of the Club Maldives Cup is now set, with all four matches scheduled to take place this Friday night.
STO RC will face MTCC in what promises to be a fiery encounter, while Fenaka is set to renew its rivalry with MPL in a rematch of their thrilling final from three years ago. The other two quarter-final ties will see Maldivian RC take on Stelco RC, and MACL face Road RC (RRC), as the tournament inches closer to its climax.
