Holcim F. A. Cup final on Aug. 1:

Can seven time winners Ratnam tame Sri Lanka Army?

by Leslie FERNANDO

Ratnam SC: Standing from left: Kasun Jayasuriya (Captain), Chrysantha Abeysekera, M. Riswan, Dammika Senarath, Malika Migara, Dudley Steinwall, B. Shivanka. Front row from left: P. S. Maduranga, F. Camillus, Thasusha Rangana, M. M. Ismirly.	Sri Lanka Army: Standing from left: M. N. M. Ishandeen, K. K. Priyankara (captain), N. Asanka de Silva, N. R. Mohamed Murshid, K. W. S. Sanushka, S. A. D. L. Nirantha Perera, A. P. Ruwan Fernando, Front row from left: Y. Lakshitha Jayathunga, Kalum Premanayake, Bandara Warakagoda, K. N. Pushpakumara.

FOOTBALL: The Football Association Cup final between seven times winners Ratnam SC and Sri Lanka Army will be a tough one and the result is unpredictable, chances are fifty-fifty. At stake is the glittering Holcim FA Cup. The final will be at the redeveloped City Football League Complex ground, Slave Island on 1st August (Saturday) kick off at 3.30 p.m.

On paper, both sides are well balanced in midfield and defence. But Ratnam SC has a formidable strike line in country's star striker Kasun Jayasuriya, Sadhintha Maduranga, Malik Migara who have the ability to score.

Ratnam SC will look for a quick goal to erase the pressure. But their forwards will not have it easy against the efficient Army defenders Asanka de Silva, Kelum Premanayake, Priyankara Priyadarshana including goalkeeper Ruwan Fernando.

It is a pity that three national players in Chathura Maduranga, Sri Lanka national captain, E. B. Channa and Raumy Mohideen will be out of Saturday's action for Ratnam SC as they are playing professional football in Maldives.However, Sri Lanka Army strikers M. Izadeen, Nirantha Perera, Bandara Warakagoda who are all good ball players with short and crisp passes, should be able to hit the net.Sri Lanka Army team should be given full marks for entering the final as they have been improving with every outing. In the semi-finals the Soldiers beat the holders Sri Lanka Police 4-3 on a penalty shoot-out after the game ended in a scoreless draw.

The Army team is expected to offer stiff opposition to the powerful and experienced Ratnam SC side.Both coaches Dudley Steinwall (Ratnam SC) and L. H. Sarath (Army) have seen and perhaps have read their respective teams weak points and each will strive to out-smart the other.

Ratnam SC also entered the final defeating Saunders SC in the Semis on a penalty shoot out 4-3 after the match ended in a draw 0-0. Having watched the four semi-finalists perform, it is no easy task to predict who will carry away the glittering Holcim FA Cup. Whatever the outcome, a soccer fiesta is in store.

Teams

Ratnam SC: Kasun Jayasuriya (Captain), B. Shivanka, Tharusha Rangana, M. M. Ismirly, F. Camillus, P. S. Maduranga, Malika Migara, Dammika Senarath, M. Riswan, Dudley Steinwall, Chrysantha Abeysekera.

Sri Lanka Army: K. K. Priyankara, M. N. M. Ishadeen, N. Asanka de Silva, M. R. Mohmad Murshid, K. W. S. Danushka, S. A. D. L. Nirantha Perera, A. P. Ruwan Fernando, Y. Lakshitha Jayathunga, Kalum Warakagoda, K. N. Pushpakumara, Kalum Premanayake.

Awards

The winners will carry away the prestigious Holcim FA Cup and a cash prize of Rs. 250,000 while the runners-up will receive Rs. 100,000. Stefan Huber, the Chief Executive Officer of Holcim Lanka Limited will be the chief guest at the final.