Champions of champions reach semi-final stage

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The thunder of the heavy guns and the roars from fans will surpass the call for ball when Sri lanka Army SC will battle it out with Sri Lanka Navy SC at City Football Complex, tomorrow in the first semi final encounter in the Champions of the Champions Knock Out Tournanemt.

And then a week later, on March 10, their boots will be busier than ever in the second semi final when Ratnam SC will vie for supremacy with Don Bosco SC at the same venue. The final will be held on March 17.

The four teams qualified for the first four positions in the points table after 132 action packed soccer matches in the Dialog Champions League.

Ratnam SC emerged the 2011 league champions when they beat Air Force SC comfortably by three goals to nil in the deciding match played at the Baddegana Football Complex recently.

Sri Lanka Army managed to secure their place as runners up after a drawn game at 3-3 with New Young's SC at Albert F Peiris Stadium. Sri Lanka Navy cleared their way to semi final by defeating Nandimithra SC by 2-1 at Sports Ministry Grounds. Don Bosco SC won the game by 2-1 despite stiff and aggressive opposition in every form from Renown and ended up fourth.

Ratnam SC are the leading goal scores in the league tournament with 37 goals while the Soldiers and the Sailors have netted 31 goals each. M N M Issadeen of Army SC penetrated his opponent’s goal area 17 times to become the highest goal scorer for the second consecutive year.

Fans are assured of exciting soccer display if Ratnam and Army qualify for the final as the leading two goal scorers, soldier Issadeen (17 goals) and Ratnam's E B Channa (12 goals) will be looking forward to continue their goal hunt.

Highest goal scorers in the league tournament.

M. N. M. Issadeen (SL Army)17, A. W. M. Farzeen (Blue Star) and E. B. Channa (Ratnam) 12, L. E. Innocent (New Youngs) 11, Nuwan Priyankara (Nandimithra) and Ranga Pradeep Fernando (Don Bosco) 10, Indika Priyankara Silva (Don Bosco), Mohammed Zain (Renown) and Chaturanga Sanjeewa (SL Navy) 7.

Champions of champions time table

First semi-final: March 4, SL Army SC Vs SL Navy SC 3.45 p.m. City Football Complex

Second semi-final: March 10 Ratnam SC Vs Don Bosco SC 3.45 p.m. City Football Complex

Final: March 17 at City Football Complex.