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| Saturday, 29 May 2004 |
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FA Cup final day: Team with sharp shooters will win By Elmo Rodrigopulle It is football fever in Kotahena, what with two teams from the soccer crazy area clashing in the Sharp FA Cup final today at the Sugathadasa Stadium under lights. Ratnam and Renown the two combatants have been hard at training and when the referee blows the whistle signalling the start, all hell will break loose with practically the whole of Kotahena there to cheer their teams to carry away the glittering trophy. Whoever the winner, one thing is certain. That is that fire crackers will be lit right along the route, culminating with the winner paying homage to their Patron St. Anthony of Padua,at Kochikade. When it comes to the most popular game in the world - football - the frenzy that exists in Kotahena is hard to beat. From schools to clubs, football is the number one sport with every youngster kicking a softball, a football or even a mango seed in their endeavour to become a Ronaldo or a Beckham. Renown and Ratnam have previously carried away the prestigious FA Cup. From what we gather there is little to choose between the two teams. It will not be easy to predict the winner. The teams have excellent strikers, superb halves and strong defenders. However what is important is for the strikers to penetrate and strike the net. Scoring goals is what the game is all about and the strikers who are sharp and able to perform this wonderful aspect should emerge winners. Only a few metres separate the club houses of Ratnam and Renown. They are housed at Jampettah Street which has a tremendous following. When Ratnam SC is being spoken of, the name of the late Lawrence Fernando, a former Benedictine, Josephian and Sri Lanka goal keeper comes to mind. From all those who helped the club maintain its lofty traditions, it was Lawrence who did the most. And when it comes Renown, the coach who helped them in their formative years although he has severed connections with them is former Benedictine captain and superb player Edward Jayawardena. Jayawardena showed them how and now they are a force to be reckoned in the game. Browns the Sharp people have done the poor man's game a great favour in agreeing to continue their sponsorship of the FA Cup. Their Chairman, the late Chrisantha Cooray scored for the game when he agreed to sponsor the tourney will be sadly missed. But the Football Board has not forgotten him. They will observe two minutes silence and say a silent prayer for the repose of his soul. A large crowd is expected to throng the Stadium and they are assured of thrill a minute football. |
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