The semi-finals of the Mamen U-13 Inter School Football Tournament will commence this Friday (19.04.2019) and none of the sides surviving until this stage seems to be in any way a weak side.

Lh. Atoll Education Centre

Lh.A.E.C is new side playing in the tournament and are the underdogs of the tournament. So far the team lost only one game in a group that was expected to be tough for them. They beat Jamaluddin on the opening day which was followed by a loss to eventual group winners Aminiya, but got back to winning ways against Muhyiddin. The exciting fast paced game played by them seemed to be a major winning factor for them and a difficulty for opponents to cope with. The quarter final drew them against group A winners Dharumavantha who has a 100% record intact. However a strong start to the game saw Lh.A.E.C score 3 minutes into the game and they hold on tightly to that goal which saw them through to the semi-finals.

Hiriya School

The team is an in form side with a decent and are much improved compared to previous tournaments. Their first game saw them win against Billabong but that was followed by a loss against eventual group winners Ghaazee. However, they won the remainder of the group B matches and finished early in that five-team group with a guaranteed quarter final spot despite whatever happened in matchday 5 of group stage games in their group. They were drawn against group C winners Rehendhi and after a hard fought game Hiriya came into the semi-finals by winning on penalties.

Iskandhar School

One of the most successful sides in this age group, Iskandhar came on the back of a weak start compared to their previous campaigns. They started the tournament with a loss but fell back against Dharumavantha, but returned to winning ways in the last group game in style. They were drawn against group B winners Aminiya, their neighbors. A side with a 100% record to cherish. However, Iskandhar turned on the style and smashed five past their neighbors, ending their hopes of going any further in the tournament. The dominant display and the excellent passing play combined earned them vital wins as they make it into the semi-finals.

Ghaazee School

Another powerhouse in inter school football, Ghaazee travelled into the semi-finals with their unbeaten run intact. They finished things off in their group in style with 3 wins and a draw which earned them their quarter final spots. In doing so, they also scored the most goals so far in the age group. However, the quarter final match against Thaajuddin wasn’t as easy as they had to settle things via a spot kick showdown. They come into to semi-finals after winning 3-2 against them.

Much to stay tuned for as we are a day away from the semi-finals. All four teams seem to outmatch each other in one way or the other. Hiriya against Lh.A.E.C holds two of the newest sides in the tournament against each other to battle for the spot in the final. Lh.A.E.C players boast on their pace meanwhile the passing game by Hiriya is worth a watch. Iskandhar against Ghaazee sees both of the tournament’s highest scoring sides against each other with Ghaazee scoring more this time around, however history weighs heavier on the Iskandhar side as they are the most successful side in the age group.

Stay tuned to Boalha.mv for more updates on the tournament.

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