Air Force expected to press Renown in final

FOOTBALL: The high riding Renown SC, the only unbeaten side in the tournament, will clash with Sri Lanka Air Force in the final of the Dialog Champions League Soccer tournament today (Sunday) at the City Football League grounds, Slave Island, kick off at 3.30 p.m. Renown SC which has a colourful history being champions of Bristol League, FA Cup and Premier League in the 1980’s and early 1990 could not achieve much success in the recent past.

But this year with former national schools and national youth soccer stars from Zahira College, Colombo they became a very formidable force to reach the finals with an unbeaten record. M. Fazal leads the goal-scoring for the club with 14 goals. His speed and shooting had been a real contributory factor for Renown SC this season.

Fellow Zahirians M. Nafeer (5) Kaiz Safras (4), M. Nazrullah (4) contributed to net total of 37 goals in 11 matches which is the highest for the season. Mid fielder Faziur Rahuman’s play making and playing skills had been very effective throughout the tournament. Goal-keeper and skipper Sathis Kumar is very dependable custodian who is in the national pool.

Air Force, playing their first-ever Premier League final is a very strong and experienced team with three national players - S. Sanjeew who had scored 8 goals and brave defenders L. Kumara, N. Kumara, Air Force had conceded only 8 goals which is the lowest in the tournament with their custodian Sanathan Pathum being outstanding.

Both captains Chanaka Pradeep Kumar Fernando of Air Force and Sathis Kumar of Renown SC is of the opinion that both teams are quite capable of providing exciting soccer and that they will play clean and attacking football to hit the net first to pressurise the other. M. Amanulla, a former Sri Lanka ‘ace’ striker will be the coach of Renown SC while yet another former national player the reliable defender Chaminda Steinwall is the coach of Sri Lanka Air Force team.

The champions will receive the Dialog Champions Trophy and Rs. 700,000 and the runners-up will take home Rs. 600,000.

Gamini Lokuge, Minister of Sports and Public Recreation will be the chief guest.

Renown SC: M. Fazal, M.N.M. Nafeer, M. Kaiz Safras, M. Vijayabaskaran, F. Rahuman, M. Zain, M. Fuard, R.K. Fernando, S.M. Riyal, L.M. Imtiyaz, Y. Satheeskumar.

Air Force: S. Sanjeev, P.J. Chaminda, K.S. Pathum, C.K. Lankesara, M.T.I. Raheem, T.N. Kumara, D. Fernando, W.N. S. Fernando, K.C.P. Kumara, R.R. Silva, S. Srikanthan.

L.F.