Sri Lanka edge out Turkmenistan - 2/1
 

Bernard PERERA

SOCCER: Sri Lanka came out with a fine performance to outplay Turkmenistan by two goals to one in a Asian under-20 group 'G' match at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Lankan lads got ahead in the fourth minute of the first session through a goal from Migara Sampath Ranasinghe. They held on to this lead until the whistle for lemons.

This session did not produce good soccer though Sri Lanka scored. Turkmenistan who went down to Aussies in the opening game could not match the Lankans on their home soil.

The second half commenced and both teams put on a better show. This paved the way for the visitors to get the equaliser in the 17th minute with S. Nurshahet scoring.

Lankans took the challenge once again moving the ball well with very good short passes. Six minutes later Madushka Pieris found the net to put the Lankans ahead.

Lankans leading 2-1. Lankans kept attacking for more goals but strikers failed to put the finishing touches. If the strikes struck well the score would have been much bigger.

The Turkmenistan coach Rovstan Muhadov said his boys played a better game but the Lankans played better soccer. He thanked the organisers for well arranged tourney.

T. Mahinda Palitha, coach of Sri Lanka, said, the boys played a better game today.

We have to put up a better show against Aussies on Sunday. The strikers should play their normal game and must not make mistakes what they did while playing against Turkmenistan.

Bangladeshi referee R. K. Gosh controlled the game.