Cup Winners' Cup Kicks Off Monday with New Radiant vs Buru

The Maldives' football season is set to kick off this Monday with the Cup Winners' Cup, which has been designated as the opening tournament of the year.

Four teams will compete in the Cup Winners' Cup, featuring the top four finishers from last year's Dhivehi Premier League. The participating clubs are the defending champions Maziya Sports and Recreation, Odi Sports Club, New Radiant, and Buru Sports Club.

The tournament kicks off on Monday afternoon with a clash between New Radiant and Buru Sports Club, followed by a match between Maziya and Odi FC on Monday night. The action continues on Thursday afternoon as Maziya takes on Buru, while the evening session will feature a showdown between New Radiant and Odi FC.

Odi FC will face Buru SC on Saturday afternoon, followed by a high-profile clash between Maziya SRC and New Radiant SC on Saturday evening. The top two teams in the standings will secure a place in the final after the round-robin stage is completed. The tournament's final is scheduled for Tuesday night, August 18.

Maziya defeated New Radiant in a penalty shootout during the Charity Shield match held to kick off this year's football season. This marks the return of the Cup Winners' Cup after an 18-year hiatus. The tournament was last held in 2008, where New Radiant emerged as the champions.