Football: Second division league - Real Maldives end Glacis’ 16-month unbeaten run |05 May 2017

As the final whistle was blown after 94 minutes of play, there was jubilant celebration in the stands as Real Maldives supporters celebrated their team’s 1-0 victory over archrivals Glacis in a second division match on Wednesday at Stad Linite.

A stunning header from Real Maldives’ Ugandan player Ayubu Mugisha in the 63rd minute put an end to a 16-month unbeaten run by Glacis FC who had stayed unbeaten since last year when they played in the third division.

Controlling the entire first half, Real Maldives showed their intention early as their first chances came in the first minute as Josip Ravinia collected a long through ball on the left wing from captain Terence Crea and ran towards goal before unleashing a powerful shot that hit the right post of Glacis’ goalkeeper Kitson Cecile who had rushed out to close the angle.

Real Maldives continued to pile the pressure on Glacis in the first 20 minutes but were unable to turn their possession into goal as Glacis played a very tight defence and goalkeeper Cécile kept them in the game with some good saves.

In a rare attack by Glacis in the 28th minute, Mervin Constance’s corner was half-cleared by the Real Maldives defence and the ball fell to Steven Henriette whose shot sailed inches away from goalkeeper Gino Melanie’s right post as the two teams went for the break with the score goalless.

Glacis started the second half with two quick attacks and Hendrix Labrosse saw his left-foot volley fly over the crossbar much to the disappointment of their bench as a goal opportunity went begging. Then Real Maldives goalkeper Melanie had to punch Teddy Cupidon’s 52nd minute shot to safety

Glacis were made to pay for the few missed chances in the 63rd minute. Steven Henriette was yellow-carded for a foul on Real Maldives’ Freddy Commettant some two metres outside the penalty area and the resultant free-kick was nicely taken by Real Maldives’ 16-year-old Josip Ravinia who floated the ball towards Ayubu Mugisha and he headed it powerfully past goalkeeper Cécile for a 1-0 lead.

After heading the ball home, Mugisha had to seek medical attention as he had previously injured his forehead following a foul committed by Steven Henriette in the first half.

Glacis pushed forward in numbers in search of an equaliser and a few minutes later Christopher Roucou’s low pass in front of goal to Malagasy Antonio Ramanantena who had replaced Hendrix Labrosse, was intercepted and cleared away by Terry Crea.

In fact, Glacis did score a goal in the 80th minute through Roucou who beat goalkeeper Melanie with a low shot, but his effort was ruled for offside by the officials.

Real Maldives held on to the score to win the game after 94 minutes.

A happy Real Maldives manager Emanuel Lucas said: “Our objective has been achieved. It’s super. We wanted to win the match as we had lost four points in our two previous games and now we are able to put pressure on the leaders”.

A disappointed Glacis coach Ronny Hoareau said it is good at times to lose, especially against teams in the calibre of Real Maldives, adding that “this will motivate the team more and to take note that we can be beaten if we are not cautious”.

He added that the “players should not always think that they will win each time they come down to play”.

Glacis are still leading the second division table on 17 points after eight games followed by Victoria City FC on 16 points and Au Cap FC in third place with 15 points. Real Maldives are now in fourth position with 14 points after Wednesday’s win.

P. J.