Navy clinch Dialog Champions of Champions Trophy

Yasaratne GAMAGE

Sri Lanka Navy clinched the Dialog champions of champions trophy when they outclassed defending champions Ratnam SC by 4-1 in the finals at City Football Grounds on Saturday.

Ratnam having won the trophy twice were favourites for a third time but never got into their style of play they showed on their way to grab the championship in the knock out tournament a few weeks ago.

Ratnam had an early blow when Malik Migara gave the lead for Navy in the third minute when the ball from his boot passed Ratnam goal keeper which was a morale booster for the sailors .

Five minutes later Jeewantha Rathnayaka was more tactful than Ratnam defenders to slot the ball to make it a 2-0 lead. Tharindu Eranga , Chryshantha Abeysekara and E B Channa of Ratnam attempted to deceive Navy goal keeper but were not successful. Ratnam goal machine E B Channa again had the best opportunity but missed as he was unbalanced.

Navy's desire to sail with the trophy was assured to the greatest extent by E. A. C. Sanjeewa with another beautiful kick before half time. K Perera was keen on adding another goal for his team in the second half which made it 4-0 and Ratnam were seen giving up the game towards the end.

E B Channa scored the solitary goal for Ratnam which did not prevent the sailors taking the trophy which was the second one for them having won the FA cup in 2010.

Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC Amalee Nanayakkara gave away the Dialog Champion of Champions trophy and a cash prize of Rs 500,000 to the winners. Ratnam were awarded the Dialog Champions League Tournament trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 500,000.

The runner-up Sri Lanka Army was awarded Rs 300,000 while Sri Lanka Navy who were placed third and fourth placed Don Bosco of Negombo were presented with cash prizes of Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 100,000 respectively.