Evenly balanced teams in today’s final

BERNARD PERERA

The Dialog Premier League Segment B final between Old Bens SC from Kotahena and Don Bosco SC from Negombo is sure to attract the best crowds today to the CR and FC ground. The play is scheduled to commence to 3.30 p.m.

Both these teams were the runners-up in their respective groups behind two Kandy teams, Kandy York SC and Golden Star SC. Old Bens though behind Golden Star SC the points aggregate were the same, while Don Bosco SC were well behind the leaders by four points.

Don Bosco SC coach this season by former national skipper Sampath Perera has performed well losing only a single game and recording five wins and four draws. Their success was made possible mainly due to the efforts of the two main strikers, Lewis Alphonso (6) and Jagath Kumara (3).

According to the manager, A. Benjamin, the defence line headed by W. D. S. Kumara Fernando and Manjula Kumara have to play a vital role along with custodian S. Lakshan to halt the Old Bens strikers from penetrating the line to score.

He further said that as his team has come a long way to qualify to play in the Segment A next season the captain Dilip Pieris will have prove his ability by maintaining a cool head to come out as victors today.

Meanwhile Peter de Croos the manager of Old Bens SC too is of the view that as his team is under the guidance of an Old Bens and a national skipper D. Chandrasiri the team has move very smoothly to reach the final. He said they expect Christopher Wallace and Prasad Yogarajah to deliver the goods to touch the Dialog Premier League Trophy. These two strikers were responsible in seeing the team reach this final.

Adding further he said that the custodian Jason Johnson along with the defence line will have hold a good footing in this game. Meanwhile the midfielders will have tough task in feeding the strikers to score. So far they have done their part well this season. He was of the view a good game of soccer can be expected in this final.

The winner and the runner-up will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 300,000 each. In addition the winner will carry away the Dialog Premier League Championship Trophy.

The organisers Football Federation of Sri Lanka expect a large crowd from Negombo and Kotahena to cheer their soccer stars today.