Ratnam SC and Hameed Al Husseinia clinch soccer titles

By Leslie FERNANDO

SOCCER: Pre match favourites Ratnam SC and Hameed Al Husseinia MV rose to the occasion to lift the club and schools titles respectively defeating New Youngs SC, Wennappuwa and Isipatana MV in the finals of the Old Benedictine Sports Club Golden Jubilee Invitation Soccer Tournament played at St. Benedict’s College grounds, Kotahena yesterday. Down one goal to nil in the first half Ratnam SC fought back gamely to beat the much improved New Youngs SC by 2 goals to 1 in the club final.

The match started with players from both sides showing caution apparently up tight about the final match. But strikers soon started to attack and number of dangerous forays were exchanged.

Ratnam SC were stunned in the 20th minute when New Young SC striker W.A. Sampath Perera broke forward hit the net 1-0 and maintained the lead till the break. After the interval Ratnam SC stormed back to equalise through Kasun Jayasuriya’s perfect headed and skipper Chathura Maduranga sealed victory for Ratnam SC when he hit the net from close range 2-1.

Referee: H.E. Dilan Perera.

Rev. Bro. Granville, Director St. Benedict’s College was the chief guest while two old boys Basil Jayawardena and Hurly Silveria were the guests of honour.

Hameed Al Husseinia MV won the schools title defeating Isipatana MV in the final on a penalty shoot out by 4-2 after the match ended in a goalless draw.

The game started on a fast pace and the pre match favourites Hameed Al Husseinia dominated throughout the 90 minutes of play despite missing six scoring opportunities.

Hameed Al Husseinia team showed their supremacy and pounced on the rivals who were forced to adopt a defensive game with better ball control, speed and constructive play. Hameed Al Husseinia MV mesmerised the rival defence. But it was a galore of missed chances. The worst offenders were T.B. Shiftan, M.F.M. Rahuman, M. Yasir and M. Rikash who failed to hit the net on six occasions missing easy goals.

At the regulation time of play the score sheet stood nil-all and the referee M.A. Ranjith implemented the penalty shoot out to find the winner.

In the five penalty tie breaker Hameed Al Husseinia MV scored 4 to Isipatana 2.

M.A.M. Sabrin, M.A.M. Yasir, M.F. Rahuman and T.R.T. Rizny kicked in correctly for Hameed Al Husseinia.

N.K.P. Priyankara and W.G.D. Susan shot correctly for Isipatana MV while D. Jayashankar and P. Nilajan kicks were well saved by Hameed Al Husseinia goal keeper N.M. Naushad.

Rev. Bro. Denzil Perera, Provincial Visitor La Sallian Brothers was the chief guest while Milroy Perera, Secretary Sri Lanka Schools Football Association was the guest of honour.