Pathetic display by Lankans

S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Corrreporting from Nawalapitiya

Sri Lanka put a pathetic display before losing to Maldive Islands 0-3 in the opening match of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Football Tournament, organized by the Ministry of Sports and Football Federation of Sri Lanka which began at the Jayatillake Sports Complex, Nawalapitiya yesterday.

At half time Maldive Islands 1-0.

The Sri Lanka under 23 football team disappointed the large crowds which thronged to witness this South Asian under 23 soccer championship which was a forerunner to the Delhi SAF Games next year.

Before the commencement of the match the participating teams were introduced to the Chief Guest President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and the President of the FFSL Sarath Weerasekera.

From the kick off it was evident that the Sri Lankan soccerites had not done their homework as they displayed poor ball control and misdirected kicks which ruined potential scoring opportunities for Lankans.

They missed no less than four scoring opportunities which if scored would have put the pressure on the Maldivians and fitted the result in their favours.

It was in the 26th minute that Maldives mid fielder Abdul Asadhulla receiving a cross pass scored caught Sri Lankan's custodian Sujan Perera with a neat kick. The Maldivians dominated the second half too are centre forward Yaamin Moosa scored the second off a Malee.

Towards the closing stages of the game an obstruction by Sri Lanka's Sanjeewa resulted in a penalty big awards and this was converted by Adhuham Hassan to give the Maldivians a comfortable victory.

C.R. Sri Krishna of India refereed. In the second match Pakistan beat Bangladesh 1-0 after a scoreless first half.