Premier League Soccer:

Kalutara Park SC enters final

In a keenly contested game Kalutara Park Sports Club defeated Kandy York Sports Club one goal to nil in the first semi final of the Premier League on Saturday at Kalutara. The Park SC will now meet the winners of the next semi final between Java Lane SC and Pelicans SC which is scheduled to be played in Kurunegala this Sunday.

Both teams had good scoring opportunities but their forwards lacked the direction to convert them into goals and the first session ended with a blank score sheet.

In the first half both teams played a defensive game without taking any risky chances as they hope to get promoted to Champions League next season by entering the final which is a dream of any football club in the country.

It was a challenge for Kandy York who knew the importance to be the first team to get into the Elite group from the football crazy Kandy and they were played a well planned game.

They certainly had 2 scoring chances in the first 20 minutes were the turning point as the Kalutara scored at the first opportunity they got to take the lead through Nimantha Lakmal. The Kandy York veteran M. Riza who is the most senior player in Premier League played a superb role and fed the forwards with many floaters but their usually dependable header Sagara and ace striker Chaminda Rodrigo failed to find the net.

Kalutara Fielding a very young outfit, playing in front of thousands of their home town fans too played a good game and their goal keeper Sujan Perera was at his best and saved many certain goals and surely was the man of the match for Kalutara Park SC. Attacking midfielder Roshan Malinga and Charindu Sampath too played a good game for Kalutara Park SC.

M. H. M. Roomy controlled the game.