De Mazenod, Isipatana into semi-finals

‘Reborn Challenge Cup Soccer’:

BERNARD PERERA

De Mazenod College Kandana and Isipatana College Colombo entered the semi-finals of the Reborn Challenge Cup soccer championships yesterday beating Maris Stella College, Negombo (2-1) and Al Hilal Vidyalaya (3-1) respectively.

In the first quarter final, Maris Stella College dominated in the first half of play having most of the possession. Negombo team took the lead in the first session before coming back to the pavilion for lemons.

After the turn around Mazenodians the runners-up of the last year’s tourney make good start. They changed their pattern of play putting pressure on opponents - while doing so they also went on a full scale attack with Subash Madushan making every effort to find the net.

His attempts brought in results in the 17th minute when he found the equaliser (1-1) in a solo effort. He dribbled past few of his opponents and got past the defenders to slam this goal.

Maristonians too did everything possible to penetrate the defence line. Though they penetrated failed to find the correct target to score the most wanted goal to get to the front.

With about seven minutes left for the final blow, Madushan once again found the net when he received good ball from A. W. A. Tharinda. The strikers were well fed by the midfielders headed by A. W. A. Tharinda for which he was rewarded with the man of the match award.

Priyanga Pieris controlled the where he had to show the red card to a Maris Stella player.

The second quarter final was evenly contested between Al Hilal Vidyalaya Negombo and Isipatana College, Colombo. Negombo team was the more fancied here and displayed good soccer right through the game.

During the first session it was Isipatana made good use of the opportunities that came their way. Two minutes into the game K. T. Vimukthi put his side in to the lead. But the fighting lot from Negombo found the equaliser just ten minutes later.

Vimukthi playing a major role for Isipatana made inroads to opponents territory on many occasions and was successful in the 23rd minute scoring his second goal 2-1. The battle continued with Al Hilal boys fighting all the way.

They managed to go past the defence line but failed to strike the right target. K. Stephen found the net in the 61st minute making things harder for the Negombo team. Stephen for his brilliant play was adjudged as the ‘Man of the Match’ in this game.

Today Zahira College Colombo, last year’s winners, will confront Dharmapala Vidyalaya at 3 p.m., while in the next quarter final, St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena take on Lumbini MV at 5 p.m. Lumbini MV received a walk over from Wayamba Royal, which paved the way for them to play in the quarters.