Java Lane clinch Salley Trophy

by Bernard Perera

Java Lane SC carried away the M.S.M. Salley Trophy and a cash award of Rs. 200,000 when they defeated Renown SC 2-1 in the final of the Ran Pandu Soccer Championships yesterday at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The match which got off to a start at 4.15 was keenly contested until the 43rd minutes. The referee A.G.C. Deshapriya offered a penalty to Renown when Dyan Perera was stopped by the custodian Azwar. Chryshantha Abeysekera could not make use of this when Azwar had a good save.

The full first session was a battle for both teams as they shared possession. Renown at times was seen moving very quickly towards the goal but MAM Azwar the Sri Lanka reserve goalie was at his best to thwart all Renown efforts. He held onto three superb shots that would have surely put Renown in front. Lemons were taken with a blank score sheet.

The second session was a superb one for all fans with Renown fighting to get the equaliser as early as possible. But the Slave Island defence held on grimly and never allowed their opponents to penetrate. Sensing the difficulty of penetration Renown strikers adopted a new system by taking long range kicks at goal Azwar had a tough time having a good look for these shots taken by their opponents. He saved two good ones to keep his side in the lead.

Tillekeratne was judged foul inside the danger area and Nazar Hameed found the net in the 37th minute. Java Lane leading 1-0 with eight minute left Renown tried hard to get the equaliser but that never came right.

In the meantime Java Lane SC went ahead scoring their second goal within two minutes and went on the defensive.

Chryshantha Abeysekera reduced the lead with only three minutes from the final whistle. Sending a fine 40 metre kick from the right wing which curved into the nets touching the diving goalies hands with two minutes added as injury time twice Renown tried from all angles to find the equaliser but failed to reach it.

Java Lane's T. N. Bagoos was sent off the field in the second session of play. The referee also showed the red card to Maxie Leiten who was on the bench but came to the field after second goal and removed his jersey.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was the chief guest and the teams were introduced to him before the match. Deputy Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sripathi Suriyaarachchi gave away the main awards:

Others present on the occasion were Mayor of Colombo Prasanna Gunewardene, John Amaratunga MP, Thilina Panditharatne, President FFSL and Asath Salley, Deputy Mayor Colombo.

A crowd of over 12,000 witnessed a classy final after a long lapse, which prove as a well organised tournament from the Government Services Football Association. M. A. M. Azwar the goalkeeper of Java Lane SC was declared as the Best goalkeeper and Man of the tournament for his excellent goalkeeping during the whole tournament.