Maligawatte Veterans won the Sri Lanka Masters’ Soccer Association Challenge Cup for the first time when they beat much fancied defending champions Old Bens Veterans by 2 goals to nil in the final played at the City Football Complex grounds on Sunday.
Both teams being equally balanced started off well and they had numerous chances of scoring but either they were off target or both the custodians were good enough to save the attempts by their opponents. And it was a blank sheet at the short whistle. After the turn around it was Maligawatte Veterans who created more chances and tempted the Old Bens Veterans’ goal keeper. On the other hand Old Bens Veterans made some counter attacks without luck.
Midway of the second half Maligawatte Veterans went ahead with a brilliant goal by Mohammed F. Silmy who headed a fine cross by A. Priyankara from the right flank. Soon after Old Bens Veterans came close to equalizing but the Maligawatte Veterans’ goal keeper M. Azhar brought off a fine save and deprived them the opportunity. With 10 minutes left Maligawatte Veterans scored their second goal in a similar way of the first with the combination of Priyankara and Silmy yet again which sealed their victory.
Preceding the final an exhibition match for over 60 was played between Colombo and Outstation teams and the match was won by Colombo. Several former players were seen in action in the over 60s match.
The champions Maligawatte Veterans were presented with the SLMSA Challenge trophy as well as the Neville Abeygunawardene memorial trophy plus gold medals and a cash prize of rupees 100,000/-.
The runner up Old Bens Veterans were presented with the K.K. Chandradasa memorial trophy, silver medals and a cash prize of rupees 50,000/-.
M. Dushantha and M. Azhar both from Maligawatte Veterans won the most valuable player award and the most valuable goal keeper award respectively and received a cash prize of rupees 10,000/- each.
McLarens Containers (Pvt.) Limited sponsored the finals and Harsha de Silva, the Managing Director of MCPL gave away the main awards,
Thilak Peiris the founder president of SLMSA and the live wire of this tournament praised and thanked all the 42 veteran teams from all over the island that took part.
0 comments:
Post a Comment