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| Sunday, 29 June 2003 |
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Sharp FA Cup soccer final today : Four times winner Renown will be tested to the hilt by Air Force by LESLIE FERNANDO The well-knit Renown SC four times winner of the soccer plum, will clash with the formidable Sri Lanka Air Force in the final of the Sharp FA Cup 2002-2003 today at the Sugathadasa Stadium under lights 6.30 pm. Both Renown SC and Airmen caused upset wins against the better fancied and favourites Police and high-riding Negombo Youth SC, the Premier League champions in the two semi-finals played last week. The finalists had to be decided on penalty shoot out in the semi-finals Renown SC defeating Police 5-3 after the match ended in a 1-all draw. Similarly, Sri Lanka Air Force also overcame Negombo Youth SC in the penalty shoot out 4-2 with the match ending at one-all draw. Today's final is bound to provide top-class soccer fare as both teams are studded with former and present national players in their ranks. But the team to adopt better tactical play should come out victorious. Football means goals and the team possessing the run of play, short and snap passes and hitting the net at the correct time will see goals coming their way. Renown SC led by agile midfielder Arumugam Loganathan, a very experienced and tireless player, will have the services of good forward line in Niroshan, Sanjeewa, Indika and Ratnasiri and if they play true to form, should be able to score early goals. Renown SC team is good in attack as well in defence. They will heavily depend on the Sri Lanka captain Lanky Dudley Steinwall to guard the opposing strike line. Skipper Loganathan, Dharmendra, Priyantha, Ajmal together with Steinwall will be tower of strength to Renown SC defence line. They will surely foil goal scoring moves of the Airmen. On the other hand, Sri Lanka Air Force led by national player Raheem will also go flat-out to beat Renown side. Air Force is known to play a very fast game from the outset. The strike line consisting of Devasagayam, Rizvi, Susantha and Bogahawatte, could pierce through any strong defence with their style of play. But, the strikers should not get involved in selfish play. They should combine effectively to go past the stout hearted Renown SC defenders. Skipper Raheem, Rumy, Haniffa, Hameed and Sanjeewa will have to give off their best to foil the fast moving Renown SC forward line. Both Renown SC and Sri Lanka Air Force goalkeepers will be hard to beat as both have guarded the goals with tremendous anticipation and dare-devil saves in the earlier round matches. Johnston Fernando, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports will be the chief guest while Chrisantha Cooray, Chairman, Browns Group will be the guest of honour. Renown SC (from): A. Loganathan, D. Steinwall, N. Abeysekera, P. Sanjeewa, P. Indika, B. Ratnasiri, H. Lafeer, S. Peiris, K. Ramar, L. P. Gunaratne, M. Ajmal, J. Priyantha, G. J. Premalal, H. Dharmendra, C. Abeysekera, J. P. Kumara, D. Jayasinghe, A. G. Perera, V. Hettiarachchi, M. S. Prabath, D. Jayasinghe, C. Olupathiranage, V. Surendran, M. V. Baskaran, S. D. Thilakaratne. Sri Lanka Air Force (from): I. Raheem, T. H. Susantha, G. Raheem, M. Rizvi, S. Kumar, W. Mohamed, L. Wijesena, C. Steinwall, I. Hameed, R. Devasagayam, S. Bogahawatta, P. Dayawansa, M. H. Rumy, S. Jayalath, R. Kaliyalrahuman, M. Haniffa, S. Srikanth, M. Reginold, L. Sanjeewa, P. K. Fernando, S. Prashad, T. Liyanage, T. Hapuarachchi, K. Rathnayake. |
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