Lankan footballers missed being millionaires

The Sri Lankan footballers had they entered the final of the 7th South Asian Football Federation final and won it, would have been millionaires.

But luck was not with them and they were not destined to be millionaires.

They did exceedingly well to enter the semi-finals, but were unfortunate to lose to the Maldivians by a solitary goal and that was the end of the road for a gallant team of Lankan soccerites.

The prize money that was on offer was the largest ever offered in the history of this tournament. Had the Lankans triumphed, other perks would have snowballed and they would have been singing their way to the banks.

It was a confident looking team that took the field against Maldives. They did everything other than hitting the net, which is what the game is all about, and in failing in that role, had to come out second best.

The Lankans and the Maldivians had opportunities of scoring. While the Lankans failed, the Maldivians with a goal from Naseer won the day. In favour of the visitors it must be said that they played the better football and they deserved that victory, that took them to the final and ultimate victory against India, here too by a solitary goal.

This is what Chrysantha de Silva, Chief Executive Officer of the Football Federation said after Sri Lanka’s loss: ‘We did everything for our players. Sent them abroad for training and they promised to win the trophy. But that they couldn’t, was just one of those things. That’s sport’, he said.

Rukmal Perera, the former De Mazenod Soccer Captain and now media manager FFSL said: “Had the Lankans won the final, they would easily have been millionaires. There was a lot in prize money. With more perks coming their way if they had won, they would have been rich footballers. But they were not destined to earn that money. It was just bad luck,” said Perera.

Perera also served as FIDA media officer for the Italian team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

As for us who have followed football very closely, it was apparent that the Lankans looked overawed and seemed psyched by the Maldivians. In the past the Maldivians were easy meat for us. But of late when up against the Maldivians they seem to be lost and at times fail to execute even the basics.

While the Lankans floundered, the Maldivians played a well controlled game. They had their style of play well mastered and every player joined in the push for victory.

Sanna and Judy watch semis

It was nice to watch Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s proud cricketing son taking in the soccer action. Also our old friend Judy Preena, one of the finest striker’s produced by the country was on holiday from Canada.

The FFSL did well to seat Jayasuriya in the VIP enclosure. He is a celebrity and deserved that honour. He too lamented Sri Lanka’s loss. Preena now sporting a beard, still looked a picture of fitness. As a striker he was a dazzler and many were the winning goals he scored for Zahira, Police and Sri Lanka. He was an excellent ruggerite too for Police and Sri Lanka.

Many knowledgeable soccer fans acknowledged the fact that we are not producing footballers of the calibre of Peter Ranasinghe, Mahinda Aluvihare, P.D. Sirisena, Judy Preena, A. Zainulabdeen, Edward Wickremasuriya, Hashimdeen, M.A. Ameer, Ran Banda, Karunapala Fernando, Azeez, K.D. Somapala, T. Amidon, S.P. de Silva, Nithi Nicholas and many others whose names do not come to mind.

When the above mentioned had the ball at their feet, they need not be told what to do. They were naturals and knew their roles. Footballers of this calibre is what Sri Lankan soccer is lacking.

Today the players are well looked after. But surprisingly they fail to deliver. The FFSL is easily the best run national body in sport today. But when the soccerites fail, what is inexplicable is that the officials are lambasted. That is done by the ignorant.

Maldives win final

That the game in the Maldives has improved tremendously over the years there is no doubt. They underlined this fact by beating a strong Indian team that beat them 1-nil in an earlier game in the Maldives.

The Maldivians were out for sweet revenge and they got it by playing some top class soccer, that kept the almost full house spellbound and excited.

With Sri Lanka failing to enter the final, we took in action with friends Patrick and Anton Perera on the wide screen at the Old Bens Sports Club.

And the team did not let down their fans.

The happiest man undoubtedly was their President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who was the Chief Guest who had also flown in to watch his countrymen perform. He seemed very excited and was lapping up every moment of this tense and exciting final.

Gayoom stood and cheered lustily when the winning goal was netted. He was in an even joyful mood when the players rushed to him and presented the trophy to him.

The game now is religion in the Maldives and that is how it will remain after this success where they beat many tough opponents to finally enjoy the sweet smell of success.

Well done FFSL

A big bouquet to the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, led and directed by Manilal Fernando for the wonderful manner in which they conducted their side of the tournament here.

Fernando has been to many Asian, European and World Cup Tournaments and knows how to plan, execute and conduct a tournament of this nature. Nothing was left to chance and it was the consensus of everyone that the FFSL did a grand job.

From the VIPs to the large number of supporters who came from the Maldives, everything was looked after and we are sure they would take with them fond memories of a well organised tournament.