Sri Lanka beat Burma 2 - 1 to get first international win in
football
By Hafiz Marikar
Sri Lanka's (Ceylon) first win in International Football was in 1954
and were placed second in the League of the 3rd Asian Quadrangular
Football Tournament, which was held in Calcutta in the month of December
1954. It was immense significance for Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon.
In this tournament, Sri Lanka led by Peter Ranasinghe held the might of
Indian sides to a one-all draw in the opening game, played on December
18th.
Then came the match that made history. The match against Burma, where
Sri Lankan team registered the first ever win, in International Football
when they won this match by 2 goals to 1. It was on Christmas Day. With
this win, Sri Lankans gained the second spot in the league. It was the
foundation of a fighting football force formed to enhance the reputation
of Sri Lanka in football, in the South Asian sector.
According to news, in this 3rd Quadrangular Tournament, Sri Lanka
side had been the fittest, with the accent on youth and speed. Most of
our players, lacked experience and international match temperment,
unlike the other teams like, India, Pakistan and Burma.
In the game against India, where we held them to a one-all draw, it
was Andrew Fernando, who netted the goal and also booted in the winner
on Christmas day to down the much fancied Burmese team. This hero hailed
from Kirulapone, he was known as one of the gentlemen in the football
field who plays clean.
At the end of the tournament, it was the Indian team that pocketed
the championship; the cup was called the "Colombo Cup". At that time,
the players had to find their own, not like today where the players are
given the much needed facilities, in the good old days; they played for
love of the game and kept the country flag flying. During that era,
Ceylon Football Association the governing body, was entirely responsible
for sponsoring this competition among the four countries bordering the
Bay of Bengal and the ultimate aim of getting India, Burma, Pakistan and
Sri Lanka together, was completely achieved by the football governing
body.
In this tournament, India had presented the best side, and it is said
that they deserved to be congratulated on their success.
It was in 1990' after Manial Fernando took over, only the facilities
were best, though we failed to do well in International Tournaments, we
did well to win the 1995 "Bristol SARC" tournament by beating India in
Sri Lanka, at that time Manilal was management committee boss and late
J.N.S. Anandaraja was the President.
The Sri Lanka (Ceylon) side comprised of players like - M. Sheriff
and J.A. Wilson (Goal-Keepers), A.C.M. Khan, A.C.M. Junaid (Vice
Captain), M.B. Saldin (Backs), Peter Ransinghe (Capt), T. Meedin, K.A
Premadasa, M.I.M. Laheer (Halves). T.S. Jaymen, M. Sainoon, T.M. Deen,
Andrew Fernando, N.B. Hemachandara, Tom Ossen, A.R. Jailabdeen,
Karunapala Fernando (Forwards).
A.W. Musafer (Team manager), R. Jeevaratnam (Assistant Manager),
Clarence McHeyzer (Referee).
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