A grand final expected

All Island Invitation Schools Soccer:

Bernard Perera

Zahira College, Colombo will meet De Mazenod College, Kandana in the final of the Hameed Al Husseinie 80 Group organised all island invitation school soccer tournament for the Dialog Trophy at 5.15 p.m. at Sugathadasa Stadium.

Both these schools entered the final after a tough battle beating St. Benedict's College, Kotahena and Hameed Al Husseinie College respectively in the semi-finals on penalty shoot outs. The semi-final between St. Benedict's and Zahira College, Colombo was the most interesting and the best game witnessed by all during the whole tournament.

Bens before entering the semis made the highest number of goals ten (10) six against Marist Stella College, Negombo and St. Thomas' College, Matara (4). Meanwhile De Mazenod too had the same number of goals scored against Al Azhar College 9-1 Negombo Royal 1-1 (3-1).

Bens faced Zahira College in the semis with a good record and did well to have the Zahirians fight all the way till the end of the match. Zahirians on the other side did an extremely fine job holding Bens to this draw to go for a penalty shoot out from which they made their way to the final. Ben's striker failed with a penalty.

Zahira College had things very easy up to semis beating Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya and Holy Cross College, Kalutara quite comfortably scoring 9 goals in the process. Zahirian team is a well knit team which produced top class soccer.

They were mainly supported to this level with Mohamed Fazal becoming the playmaker for his side with his quick work on the field. But during the semi-final they had to face the toughest task to overcome the strong outfit from Kotahena.

The strikers of both team Mohamed Fazal, M.L.M. Imthiaz Zahira and Malik Migara in peak for at the moment. Their form is sure to produce the best soccer for their teams provided the support they gain from their midfielders.

At the same time the defenders of both teams will have to come up with their best to stop their opponents from penetrating their territories with the view of scoring.

The two custodians will have to be very cautious. So far these two players have done their best for the teams. If the same form is continued the strikers are sure to face a difficult situation. Considering all these factors the final is sure to be an interesting game

of to soccer for all fans who make their way to the stadium today. Vice President of Asian Football Confederation and Chairman Management Committee FFSL Manilal Fernando will be the chief guest for the final today. Representatives of the main sponsor Dialog Telekom too will be present on the occasion. The prize distribution will take place soon after the final.

The teams: De Mazenod from Asiri Hewage, Keshara Sovis, Malik Migara, Shalinda Nirmal, Marlon Buljans, Mihan Morais, Rajen Bowen, Chandeepa Thilina, Tinesh Raveen, Shubash Madushan, Sugesh Gomesh, Harsana De Mel, Avon Robinson, Ashen Chanaka, Anash Kaishanka, Tharindu Eranga, Sulalakshana Esanda, Lakmal Danushka.

Zahira from M.I.M. Zain, M.L.M. Imtiyas, M.S.M. Riyal, M.N.M. Fazal, M.N.M. Nafeer, M.N.M. Rasheedh, M.R.M. Rizny, N.A.M. Naleef, A. Najeemullah, M.I.M. Zameen, M.L.M. Rizny, A.M. Aman Hussain, M.M. Nusry, S.M. Nusry, S.M. Zoordeen, T.S.M. Rilwan, M.M.M. Nishad, M.F.M. Fayazil, M.N.M. Hijaz.