Dialog Premier League soccer kicks off tomorrow

Bernard PERERA

The Premier League Soccer Championship for the year 2008 gets under way on Friday at CR and FC ground commencing at 4 p.m. The tournament organised and conducted by Football Federation of Sri Lanka and sponsored by Dialog Telekom which was earlier named as Kit Premier League will be changed this year as the Dialog Premier League sponsored by the same company.

This year the segment a will comprise 12 teams playing under two groups as AI and AII, while the segment B consisting of twelve teams too play their game under two groups A and B. The only team to come to the segment A is the Pelicans SC. Navy SC declined to play in this section due to their commitments with regard to the country’s security situation. The defending champions Ratnam Sports Club from Kotahena clash with the Glamoar boys of soccer from Pettah Saunders Sports Club comes as the leagues opener. This game be of vital importance to both teams as they are looking forward to take a step forward from the beginning of the championship this season.

Ratnam SC packed with many national players is led by Rawmy Mohideen though they looked the best team with a set of top players in national skipper Chathura Maduranga and the leading strikers Kasun Jayasuriya and E.B. Channa failed to live up to expectations in the final of the Holcim FA Cup losing in the semi-final to Police SC 4-2. But as defending champions of the Premier League they will have to make a strong comeback forgetting the defeat they faced in the FA Cup.

The Pettah Club meanwhile who holds a reputation as one of the Leading Clubs playing soccer at its highest level too will make every effort to overcome the defending champions in this opening game.

Saunders SC who finished at the fourth slot last year will have to use all their experience to maintain the status what is bestowed on them for over four decades.

With two top teams engaged in the opening game the spectators are sure to witness soccer of high quality from the beginning of the championship.

The participating teams segment A-I Blue Star SC, Sri Lanka Army SC, Negombo Youth SC, Renown SC, New Youngs SC, Pelicans SC.

A-II: Ratnam SC, Saunders SC Javalane SC, Sri Lanka Police SC, Jupiters SC, Sri Lanka Air Force SC.

Segment B-1: Don Bosco SC, Super Beach SC, Hyline SC, Maya SC, Kandy York SC, Maligawatte Youth SC.

B-II: Cooray SC, Sarasavi SC, Golden Star SC, Red Sun SC, Kalutara SC, Old Bens.