Police clinch Holcim FA Cup after 35 years

By Bernard PERERA

The Sri Lanka Police reached the pinnacle of local soccer by clinching the Holcim FA Cup 2008 beating Civil Security Force (1-1) by 6-5 in a penalty shoot out at the CR and FC ground yesterday. This victory was achieved by Police SC after 35 years. The last time they won the FA Cup was way back in the year 1973 under the captaining of present SSP Clement de Silva.

The debutantes of the FA Cap final Civil Security Force was at their best giving the more experienced Police a torrid time during the first 45 minutes of play. Their stubborn display did not allow the Police strikers to get the much needed goal during this session and lemons was taken with a blank score sheet

Civil Security Force had the possession most of the time but their strikers failed to reach the target. W. M. C. Krishantha played a vital role feeding the front runner with good balls through his good kicking. At the same time the Security Force custodian Jeevan Kumara Silva was at his best between the posts to thwart the attacks that came from the Police strikers. During this session Police got as many as seven corners with all kicks coming accurately, but the strikers failed miserably to gain the advantage from these.

Police skipper did a fine job taking these kicks. Security Force missed two easy scoring opportunities when Krishantha in the 25th minute and Anil Shantha missed a golden chance in the 40th minute.

The second session began with Security Force making one change to the original eleven bringing in Udayan Madusanka to replace Mahesh Indika. This paid good dividends and within two minutes they moved ahead with a goal coming through a header from W. Anil Shantha. Civil Security 1, Police nil.

Thereafter the Security men were seen defending their territory rather than going into the attack. This, they continued for nearly 20 minutes. But the Policemen found the equaliser in the 65th minute.

Sanjaya Pradeep taking the corner kick offered to them lobbed it clearly to Mohamed Naushad to head for the equaliser. The ding-dong battle commenced and quality soccer was seen from both teams doing quick passes to penetrate each others defence lines. But none of the teams could make it to the nets and the full ninety minutes ended with the score line reading one all.

The referee Amara de Silva had to introduce the penalty shoot out at this stage. The first five kicks once again saw a draw and the teams had to continue with the kicks. For the Police Nuwantha Chanaka and CSF’s A. D. Wickremanayake failed to score from their kicks. Chathura Ekanayake of CSF missed the seventh kick while Police’s D. M. Sugath scored the winner for Police to end up as proud winners of Holcim FA Cup 2008.

The Inspector General of Police, Jayantha Wickremaratne who was present as Guest-of-Honour said that it was great to see Police win the FA Cup after 35 long years and assured that all team members will be rewarded with promotions.

Peter Spirig, Chief Executive of Holcim Lanka Ltd the sponsors of the Championship was the Chief Guest and gave away the awards.

The winners Police SC received the Holcim FA cup and a cash award of Rs 250,000, while the runners up received a purse worth Rs 100,000. Members of both teams were presented with medals too.