Negombo YSC take soccer plum
Holcim FA Cup:
Bernard PERERA
SOCCER: Negombo Youth Sports Club came up with a brilliant
performance yesterday under-light at Sugathadasa Stadium to go away with
the Holcim FA Cup. NYSC defeated Saunders Sports Club from Pettah three
goals to nil after leading one goal to nil at half time.
The soccer displayed during the first session of play was not up to
expectation and it was a boring affair for the spectators. But there
were few instances both teams came up with good moves.
Specially Saunders made few moves to get closer to their opponent
goal area and failed to capitalise on them when the strikers could not
find the net to put their side in front.
This ding dong battle continued for over 30 minutes. In the 32nd
minute, saw Negombo Youth SC get the better when Chathura Guneratne sent
a good ball from the left wing towards the goal area.
D. A. Nimal Fernando who has done the bulk of the scoring for his
side this season collected ball to quickly find the net. This put
Negombo in front and they held onto it till the short whistle.
The second half began with the Pettah Club trying every effort to get
the equaliser.
They went on an all out attack specially their two foreigners Andrew
John Mollitt and German National Michael Klemn.
Two of them were in fine fettle and was feeding the ball to the
strikers at every opportunity which was available to them. But there was
no luck for their strikers to get the equaliser.
But they continued the onslaught on a very high note. At this stage
both teams moved onto play a bit rough and referee had a hectic time in
controlling the game. Referee in the process had to pull out the yellow
card twice on D. S. Dharmapala and K. M. Kabeer.
The game continued on a high note with Saunders once again trying
hard to make an attempt to find the equaliser. Saunders at this stage
had many scoring opportunities. A free kick taken by Kaushalya de Silva
from thirty meters missed the goal by few inches.
If they made an attempt to have long range kicks sometime it would
have brought them good results.
Saunders SC had to take off one of their main players Englishman
Andrew John Mollitt when suffered an injury going into attack a high
ball inside the box. He was bleeding profusely and was replaced by Nisal
Nilanga. He too played a vital role for his side.
Saunders at this stage in an attempt to grab the opportunity to score
made four quick changes.
These too did not materialise well for them.
On the otherside Negombo Youth never allowed the Pettah lads to get
into their territory while going on the attack.
Thilanga Nandasiri who walked in as a substitute playing well missed
an easy goal scoring opportunity for Saunders few minutes away from the
long whistle.
The injury time was the most successful period for Negombo Youth SC
when Chathura Guneratne after dribbling through few opponents smashed
into the nets to put his side further ahead.
The end was more interesting with D. Ratnayake scoring the third goal
for Negombo team just ten seconds away from the whistle which also
sealed victory and the Holcim FA Cup for the Negombo team.
Saunders player was sent off the field when he tried to assault
referee when he was found fault with rough play.
M. A. Ranjith refereed with the assistance from D. R. Ratnayake and
J. L. M. Miranda. |