Ratnam-Blue Star clash for Phoenix Cup

Bernard PERERA

Ratnam Sports Club, Kotahena take on Blue Star Sports Club Kalutara today in the final of the inaugural Phoenix Cup Invitation Soccer tournament at City Football league ground. The tourney organised by Colombo Football Club saw all leading club in round I on a knock out basis and joined four teams who were selected to play in the quarters.

During the early stages the tourney was keenly contested by all teams and few of the leading clubs were knocked out specially the glamour boys of local soccer Sounders Sports club.

Ratnam SC who entered the quarters New Youngs Sports Club from Wennappuwa four goals to one to enter the Semi final. In the semis they had to confront the home town rivals Old Bens Sports Club. After a one all draw Ratnam defeated their opponents four goals to one to reach the final.

Meanwhile Blue Star Sports Club maintained a fine record through out the tourney from the preliminary stage. The boys from Kalutara met Java Lane SC from Slave island. Blue Star SC after a evenly contested game in the first session came back strongly in the next session to win the game 1-0. This resulted them to move to the semis where they confronted. Renown SC the Premier League Champs.

Kalutara Boys completely outplayed the reigning champs in the semi final to win comfortably three goals to nil.

Though Renown came into the semis as hot favourites failed to live upto expectations. It was A Mohamed Farzeen who became the hero in this game scoring two vital goals which also put him to be the highest goal getter with five goals. But bad luck struck him when he was shown the yellow card for the second time which puts him out of the final.

With Farzeen out of action for Blue Star SC and the two main strikers for Ratnam in peak form Blue Star SC will have to have strong defence line to halt them from scoring. While doing this they also should attack their opponent to keep the momentum going and also to get to the top to put pressure on the Ratnam front runners.

The record of both teams prove that a keen contest is on the cards but the team that plays good soccer will go as victors.

The tournament sponsored by Phoenix Lanka Ltd. saw many first being achieved. Spectators were issued tickets at a reduced rate for which a ruffle draw was held. This was done with the intention of attracting them for every game which proved a success.

The winner will go away with the Phoenix Cup and a cash award of Rs. 100,000 while the runner up will be awarded Rs. 50,000. There are many other special awards on offer on this day. All these were made possible due to the untiring efforts of Phoenix Lanka Ltd Director Saif Yousoof and Secretary of the City Football league M. Premadasa.

Aslam Omar, Chairman Phoenix Lanka Ltd will be the Chief Guest on this day while the guests of honour are senior Vice President AFC Manilal Fernando and Saif Yousoof.

The teams : Ratnam SC from Kasun Jayasuriya, E. B. Channa, W. A. L. Tharanga, P. S. Maduranga, T. M. Shifan, M. M. Ismail, N. C. Abeysekera, J. S. Silveira, W. A. Asanka Ranga, M. Rizwan, K. Sudharshan, M. Rawmi Mohideen, M. M. Izzadeen, W. D. Damith, J. R. Pradeep, S. D. Tillekeratne, Y. N. Rasan, S. Jenson, M. K. Hakeem, A. V. A. Suranga, B. I. Fernando, Sandeep Nilanga, Francis Camilus.

Blue Star SC from Kumara Fernando, M. Rikaz, M. Farzeen, M. Irshan, M. H. M. Ramees, M. K. M. Najeem, A. W. M. Fargeen, M. M. Azmeer, Thilan Jayantha Siemon, F. M. M. Fouzan, M. M. M. Mafas, M. Irshad, M. R. M. Mursheed, M. Farhad, A. H. M. Nifae, M. B. M. Imthad, M. N. M. Fahir, A. C. M. Riyas, M. F. M. Safran, M. H. Jifrey.