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| Sunday, 24 July 2005 |
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Ratnam fancied but Saunders will offer stiff opposition by Leslie Fernando Ratnam SC, the title holders, meet Saunders SC the 2005 Premier League Champions in the final of the prestigious FA Cup to be played today (Sunday) at the Sugathadasa Stadium-kick off at 6.30 p.m. The tournament is sponsored by Holcim Lanka Ltd. It will be a tough and unpredictable match. Chances are even. Can the youthful Ratnam SC retain the title? Or will Saunders SC who are meeting their arch rivals for the sixth time in a FA Cup final be able to lay their hands on the soccer plum. Saunders SC have won the FA Cup for a record 20 times and 5 times they were runners-up. Meanwhile Ratnam SC became champions thrice and were runners-up 23 times. Last year, Ratnam SC lifted the FA Cup, defeating Renown SC on penalties 6-4 after the final ended in a 2-all draw. This is the tenth time that Ratnam SC is meeting Saunders SC in a major final. The record: Saunders SC seven and Ratnam SC three. Saunders SC beat Ratnam SC 1-0 in the last FA Cup final in 1999. In this year's Premier League Championship Saunders SC emerged champions and Ratnam SC finished runner-up. On paper, Ratnam are the stronger side but Saunders will certainly offer stiff opposition. Ratnam SC came to the final defeating Maya SC 6-1 (pre-quarter-final), Java Lane 3-0 (quarter final) and Navy 1-0 in the semi-final. They have scored 10 goals and conceded a solitary goal in the FA Cup. What Ratnam SC lack is the ability to strike at the right moment. They have a record of missing easy chances. This was evident in the Navy and Java Lane SC matches. Ratnam defence line comprising Mohideen, Shivanka, Francis, Nowfer, Rifaz, Danushka will probably try to restrict the movements of speedy Saunders strikers. In Junnideen Harisdeen Ratnam SC have a very agile goal keeper. Compared to Ratnam SC, the Price Park side is a complete outfit, strong in both defence and attack. They also have scored-ten goals in the championships against Police 6-5, Army 2-1 and New Youngs 2-1. Saunders SC who started the campaign with a fine win over Police continued to show good form in every match due to superb team effort. They possess the best and fastest strike-line in T. Rafeek, Uditha Perera, Thilanka Nandasiri and M. Amanulla who could breach any strong defence. One thing is certain the Saunders will look for quick goals. The defence line consisting of skipper Jagath Rohana, Imran Mohamed, Nirosh Samudra, D. S. Dharmapala, Sudara Madusanka, F. Rahuman has done their bit by depriving opposing forwards from hitting their net. Both coaches - P. D. Sirisena (Saunders SC) and L. Weerasinghe (Ratnam SC) did not want to comment on the outcome, but Saunders President said that anyway his club is certain of carrying away the big prize money. The champions will receive the glittering FA Cup and Rs. 200,000. The runners-up Rs. 100,000. Peter Spirig, the Managing Director of Holcim Lanka Ltd, will be the chief guest. Teams Ratnam SC (from): Rawney Mohideen (captain), Junnideen Harisdeen, M. Rizwan Shaib, Salagamage Shivanka, Pushpa Kumara, Francis Camillus, Mohamed Nowfer, P. N. M. Mufjid, Rifaz Ahamed, Dilan Danushka, Tharusha Rangana, Asanka Rangana, Pradeep Perera, Fasul Rahuman, Kasun Jayasooriya. Saunders SC (from): Jagath Rohana (captain), Tuan Rafeek, Uditha Perera, Imran Mohamed, Nirosh Samudra, D. S. Dharmapala, Thilanka Nandasiri, M. F. F. Rahuman, Aruna Santha, Sudara Madusanka, Chathura Samarasekera, Nisal Nilanga, M. M. Amanulla, A. N. Rajapakse, M. M. Sumedha. |
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