Sports

Java Lane thrash Saunders 4-0 enters final

by Bernard Perera

The Glamours boys from Price Park had to bite the dust yesterday in the second semi-final of the Ran Pandu Soccer Championship when they were completely outclassed by Slave Island Java Lane SC four goals to nil.

Saunders SC who entered the fray as top favourites in yesterday's game never were in good shape to counter the attack from java Lane SC. The Slave Island team played to set plan with attack being their main point. Saunders never expected such a tough attack in the early stages could not settle down to play the game on their own style.

Java Lane SC attack brought in good results in the 22nd minute when Nazar Hameed found the nets to put his side in front. M.I. Rikaz was instrumental with this goal when lobbed a neat pass from the right wing to Nazer who was well placed to have the ball and to do the needful.

Saunders sensing the things were not in their favour went on the attack with many shots at the goal socially Isuru Perera and Mohamed Amanulla in full cry to find the equalises for their team. The main obstacle they had to confront was the Java Lane custodian Mohamed Azwar.

Azwar was the pick of the players who had a very successful day between the posts. If not his five saves the game would have gone in favour of Price Park team. Azwar became the match winner for Java Lane SC. The teams returned to their dressing rooms for lemons with Java Lane boys leading one goal to nil.

After the turn around it was Saunders who were in control of the situation for little over 20 minutes. Here too it was once again Azwar who made the difference making few more good saves with assistance from the defenders who too had fare share in controlling the goal hungry Saunders player.

Isuru was a lone player who tried everything he had in store to put his side in front. But he was unlucky to miss many as three scoring opportunities during this period.

M. Soujah put Slave Island further ahead with a bullet like kick from nearly 30 metres Saunders had to step up the attack more but could not penetrate the defence line. Few minutes later Nazar Hameed made it three nil in favour of Java Lane.

Price Park team had no choice but at the go for a consolation goal to keep their prestige. That two was thwarted by their opponents and also saw the fourth and the second goal from Soujah sealed victory for Java Lane SC in the 39th minute of the second session. Saunders SC the Reigning Premier League Champions with this loss bowed out of the final scheduled for Sunday.

The final between Renown SC and Java Lane SC in scheduled to be kicked off at 4.00 p.m. at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse will be the chief guest and will give away the Ran Pandu championship trophy, M. S. M. Salley trophy and the cash award of Rs. 200,000 to the winners. The runners-up will go away with Rs. 100,000.

Referee complaints of assault

The referee who officiated at the first semi-final of the Ran Pandu Soccer Championship on Thursday at Sugathadasa Stadium has lodged a complaint at the Grandpass Police alleging that a senior official of the losing Negombo team assaulted him after the match.

According to reliable sources, the assailant was taken in for questioning and was released early morning. The scenario that has occurred is not a good sign for soccer. If this trend continues with officials manhandling referees what can the sport lovers expect from player who are being guided by these officials.

The tune has come for the soccer governing body to take stern action against officials who are also members holding high offices with the governing body now it is time for the governing body take stern action to put a permanent end to ugly incidents of this nature.