From Bottom of the Group to Champions: Olhuveli Crowned South Male Zone Winners
Sun Siyam Olhuveli completed a remarkable Resort League campaign by defeating Hard Rock Hotel Maldives 5–4 after penalties to become Resort League 2026 South Male Zone Champions.
The final, played on 3 September 2026 at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, ended 2–2 in normal time before Olhuveli prevailed 3–2 in the penalty shootout, completing an extraordinary journey from the bottom of their group to champions.
Two Very Different Roads to the Final
Hard Rock entered the knockout stage in a strong position after finishing top of Group B, earning direct qualification to the quarter-finals. They continued their impressive run through the knockout stages to reach the South Male Zone Final for the first time in their history.
Olhuveli's journey could hardly have been more different.
The hosts finished bottom of Group A, meaning the 2024 champions had to take the longer route through the playoff round. Under the tournament format, teams finishing second and third in their groups were given another opportunity through the playoffs, with the winners advancing to the quarter-finals.
Olhuveli successfully navigated the playoff to keep their campaign alive before continuing their resurgence through the knockout stages.
They defeated OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI in the quarter-final before overcoming JW Marriott Maldives in the semi-final, completing an impressive turnaround from the bottom of their group to a place in the final.
A Dramatic Second-Half Comeback
After a goalless first half, the final came alive after the break, with all four goals arriving in the second half.
Hard Rock took the lead in the 21st minute when #23 Suhail of Olhuveli scored an own goal, giving the first-time finalists the advantage.
Hard Rock doubled their lead in the 24th minute, with #7 Thashmeen finding the net to make it 2–0.
Facing a two-goal deficit, Olhuveli responded almost immediately. #17 Shiau pulled one back in the 25th minute, reducing the deficit to 2–1 and bringing the hosts back into the final.
The closing stages brought further drama when #8 Adam of Hard Rock was shown a red card in the 29th minute.
Olhuveli continued to push for the equaliser, and their pressure paid off in the 30th minute when #8 Sinaan scored, completing the comeback and bringing the match level at 2–2.
With the scores tied at the end of normal time, the South Male Zone title was decided from the penalty spot.
Penalties Decide the Championship
With the match level at 2–2, Hard Rock introduced substitute goalkeeper #6 Bikram specifically for the penalty shootout, and the decision nearly paid off.
Bikram produced two saves, denying #10 Vigaam and #7 Aafaag, while Olhuveli's opening penalty from #8 Sinaan struck the left goalpost.
At the other end, Olhuveli goalkeeper #99 Sumaid delivered when it mattered most. After saving #19 Suhail's attempt, Sumaid produced the decisive stop from #17 Ailam to seal a 3–2 shootout victory for Olhuveli.
The result completed a 5–4 victory after penalties and crowned Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort League 2026 South Male Zone Champions.
From Bottom to Champions
The triumph gives Sun Siyam Olhuveli their second South Male Zone title in three years, following their championship victory in 2024.
Olhuveli's history in the South Male Zone Final also stretches back to 2016, when they finished runners-up following a narrow 3–2 defeat to Bolifushi.
For Hard Rock, the defeat brought an end to an impressive campaign in which they topped their group, qualified directly for the quarter-finals and reached the South Male Zone Final for the first time in their history.
For Olhuveli, however, the 2026 title tells a remarkable story of recovery and resilience.
From finishing at the bottom of the group table, fighting through the playoff round, progressing through the knockout stages, falling 2–0 behind in the final, and fighting back to force penalties, Sun Siyam Olhuveli completed an unforgettable journey to become Resort League 2026 South Male Zone Champions.