Zahira take Reborn Cup

Bernard PERERA

Zahira College, Colombo retained the Hameed Al Husseinia 80 Group organised soccer championship by beating St. Benedict’s College one goal to nil to take the Reborn Cup at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday under lights.

Zahira College who came for the final as hot favourites could not maintain their supremacy with the Bens defence putting on a solid wall.

Zahira’s playmaker M. N. Mohamed Fazal who was the key man everyone expected to deliver the goods was well guarded by the Bens right throughout the first session of play. Fazal who has scored 15 goals from the previous three games failed during this game.

On the other side Bens did a fine job by preventing the goal hungry Fazal from scoring. Though he was covered, Zahira’s midfielders fed him well. Special mention must be made of Zahira’s Shamel Ahamed who kept on moving up and down to stall the Bens.

Nishan Madushanka the custodian for the Kotahena side was at his best during this game. In the previous three games he was the only goal keeper with a fine record. Buddhika Sandaruwan and Bens skipper too played their hearts out to put their side into the lead by feeding the strikers on many occasions. The strikers could not find the right target which caused havoc for the side.

Zahirians too had many as six scoring opportunities when they got six corners in the first session of play, with the kicks being taken by Fazal. This did not help them at any stage. With both teams battling a keen tussle, the first half ended with a blank scorecard.

The second session began with the Bens adopting the attack more than the defence. Though they did this the defenders moved back well in time of necessity to prevent the Zahirians from going ahead.

As the Bens defence thwarted all attempts by the Zahirians they had press hard until the final moments. The second half saw Bens give away only two corner kicks for their opponents, but Zahirians failed in these two attempts also.

Bens made a change with about twenty minutes of play left bringing in a substitute. He worked from the left wing and did a good job in feeding the front liners well.

With only five minutes away from the final whistle Shamel Ahamed sent a good ball from the right and Fazal collected the ball and tried to find the net. During this melee the skipper of the Bens tried to evade the ball reach the goal unfortunately his attempt failed and the ball trickled into the net giving and own goal for Zahira, which also sealed the victory, the Reborn Cup and the successive championship win.

M. A. Ranjith controlled the game.

Ahamed best Player

Zahira’s Shamel Ahamed who played a clean game right through the tournament was declared as the Best Player of the Match. Meanwhile M. N. Mohamed Fazal who set a new record by scoring 9 goals in the first game who continued his good form scoring six more goals to his credit was declared the highest getter to receive the award.

Zahira’s skipper M. N. M. Rasheed who led his side well during the whole championship and scored few goals before entering the final, went away with the Man of the Series award.

Nishan Madushanka the custodian for the Kotahena for his brilliant work between the posts received the Best Goal Keepers award.

All in all it was top class soccer that was displayed by both teams for the large number of spectators that thronged to the stadium.

Minister for Education Services Nirmala Kotelawala who graced the occasion as chief guest gave away the main awards.

Hameed Al Husseinia College 80 Group organised the tournament for the second successive year for which they should be commended for well organised tourney.