Can Saunders win Holcim FA Cup for 21st time?

By Leslie Fernando

FOOTBALL: Saunders SC will clash with Negombo Youth SC in the final of the Holcim FA Cup, the blue riband of local soccer conducted by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka today at the Sugathadasa Stadium at 6 p. m. It will be a tough and unpredictable match as both sides appear to be evenly matched.

Can the Saunders SC win title for the 21st time? Or can youthful Negombo Youth SC who, are meeting the Price Park Club for the first time in a FA Cup final be able to lay their hand on the soccer plum for the first time? Negombo Youth SC became runners-up last year and they have made it to the final twice 2006 and 2007.

Saunders SC runners-up of the Holcim FA Cup in 2005 has won the soccer plum 20 times and have appeared figured 24 times in the final.

On paper, Negombo Youth SC are fancied to win and their morale is high after outplaying holders Ratnam SC by 5 goals to 3 in the semi-finals. Negombo Youth SC defeated Army SC 2-1 in the quarter-final and in the pre-quarter final defeated Youngsters SC 8-1.

Negombo Youth possess the fastest forward line, comprising of Nigerian Gaye Wright, Nimal Fernando, S. Fernando, C. Gunaratne who could breach any strong defence and they are bound to go for quick goals.

The defence line comprising Naushard at goal, M. Alieyar, W. S. Peiris, D. Ratnayake, M. Kabeer, D. Peiris and M. Savithra has done a splendid job in foiling their rival forwards from scoring on many occasions.

Mahes Savithra leads the Negombo Youth SC side and former Sri Lanka and Victory SC ace soccerite M. Zaheer is the coach.

Saunders side is also equally strong. The Saunders SC drawback is their inability to strike at the right moment and this was evident on more than one occasion. However, if their forwards Englishman John Mollitt, German Michael Klem, Chathura Samarasekera and Thilanka Nandasiri can overcome this, then they could match the opposing strikers.

Saunders SC defence line consisting of Asanga Viraj (at goal), Nirosh Samudra, N. Rajapakse, F. Rahuman, L. Rishantha, Nisal Nilanga and S. Madu sanka has done their bit by depriving opposing forwards from hitting their net. Nirosh Samudra is the captain of Saunders SC and Saunders SC in the semi-final, beat Sri Lanka Air Force I-0, in the quarters beat Cooray SC 3-0 and in the pre-quarters defeated Red Sun SC I-0,

Both Saunders SC and Negombo Youth SC had their final workout yesterday at Price Park and at Municipal grounds at Negombo respectively, Both coaches Sirisena and Zaheer said that teams with better methodical and systematical play should come out victorious.

But Negombo Youth SC President Ranjith Rodrigo said that his club is certain of 'carrying away', the big cash prize and glittering cup as they have won several major titles for the past three years.

The champion team will receive Holcim Champion Trophy, medals and cash award of Rs. 250,000 the runners-up will receive trophy medals and Rs. 100,000.

Peter Spirig, the Managing Director of Holcim Lanka Limited will be the chief guest while Rodolfo Montero the Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Holcim Lanka Ltd will be the guest of honour. M. A. Ranjith will control the final assisted by referees D. R. Rathnayake and J.L.M. Miranda.

Saunders SC: (from) Nirosh Samudra, Asanka Viraj, F. Rahuman, S. Madusanka, John Mollitt, L. Rishantha, M. Klem, M. C. Sirisena, Nimanga Rajapakse, M. Francis, D. S. Dharmapala, G. Prabath, C. L. Samarasekera, W. A. R. S. Dayananda, Thilanka Nandasiri, N. Nilanga, T. Kumara, D. R. Kumara, Aruna Santha, Isuru Perera, R. Perera, G. Perera, C. S. Samarasekera, S. Sameera.

Negombo Youth SC: (from) Mahesh Savithra, M. Naushad, K. Fernando, M. Irshad, R. Samarawickrema, S. Lochana, Aruna Sampath, Muneer Salley, Samantha Perera, D. Rathnayake, Seezer Perera, M. Asmeer, Gaye Wright, W. R. S. Fernando, W. S. Peiris, K. M. Kabeer, Nimal Fernando, R. Kumar, A. A. Kumar, M. A. Kumara, V. H. C. Gunaratne, D. Peiris, M. Rikaz.