Ratnam shows its class with new blood, wins FA Cup

By Leslie FERNANDO

Ratnam SC were crowned as the undisputed kings of local football after defeating Sri Lanka Army on a tie breaker 3-0 after the game ended in a 3-all draw to lift the Holcim FA Cup for the seventh time. The final was played at the City Football League Complex, Slave Island yesterday.

It was a memorable game that had all that could be asked on an FA Cup final. From the outset both sides played at furious pace but Army side showed their supremacy in the first half. They pounced on the rivals who were forced to adopt a defensive game. With better ball control, speed and constructive play Army mesmerised the rival defence. Ratnam SC minus their star striker Kasun Jayasuriya failed to rise to expected standard, during the first period of play.

The sporadic raids on the rival territory Army took the lead in the 19th minute Kalum Premanayake provided the goal when he just slotted the ball home after a good move on the left flank and a neat pass from M. N. Ishadeen. Army increased the lead in the 38th minute when K. N. Pushpakumara made no mistake with a perfect header off a corner relayed by M. N. M. Ishadeen from the left flank. Army held on to the lead 2-0 until the break.

After the interval Ratnam SC adopted better tactics and launched wave after wave of furious attacks on the opposition goal and struck two goals in the space of 11 minutes. In the 52nd minute Dudley Stainwall found the net off a clever pass by Chrysantha Abeysekera 2-1 and in the 63rd minute Chrysantha Abeysekera gave the equaliser 2-2 with a well placed left footed drive off a regular pass.

Ratnam SC who were prominent in the attack took the lead 3-2 in the 73rd minute with Chrysantha Abeysekera scoring his second goal off an accurate pass from Dudley Steinwall.

Army team came back strongly to equalise in the 79th minute 3-3 when Kalum Premanayake hit the net with the Ratnam SC goal keeper Dhammika Senarath out between the post.

It was totally a mistake of Senarath who advanced to clear a on coming ball.

Both sides pressed hard for the important winning goal that never came, and at the regulation time the score stood 3-3 and the referee H. K. C. Dilan Perera implemented the five tie breaker to find the champion. Ratnam SC came out victorious with 3-0 Chrysantha Abeysekera, Dudley Stainwall and Tharusha Rangana kicked correctly. But Army's Mohamed Murshid, H. D. Neranjana and Laksitha Jayatunga's kicks were brilliantly saved by Ratnam SC goalkeeper Dhammika Senarath.

Full credit goes to the brave goal keeper Dhammika for his fine anticipation between the posts.

Altogether nine corners were awarded during the game and Ratnam SC earned five corners and Sri Lanka Army four.

Yellow cards were shown to two Ratnam SC players Sadantha Maduranga and K. Sudarshan for dangerous play.

Ratnam SC was presented with the Holcim FA Cup and Rs. 250,000 while Army received a trophy and Rs. 100,000.

Stefan Huber, CEO-Holcim Lanka Limited was the chief guest.