Sabaragamuwa University created history at the Colombo University grounds, sealing their first ever Inter-University football title with a tight 2-1 win over defending champions University of Jaffna.
Played over three days from the 22nd to 24th August at the Colombo University and Sports Ministry grounds, the tournament brought with it the usual dose of excitement, entertainment and surprise.
Starting from the very first game of the tournament, the Sabaragamuwa University team showed they were real contenders this year defeating the highly fancied Colombo University team 3-2 in a thrilling contest. They were able to qualify from a highly competitive group despite a 1-0 loss to Uva Wellassa University and overcame last year’s runners-up South Eastern 4-0 in the quarters, and surprise package University of Sri Jayawardanepura 2-0 in the semis en route to the final.
University of Jaffna despite losing out on several key players this year, including national squad member V. Gnanaruban, showed no signs of giving up their championship easily, registering wins over Sri Jayawardanepura (2-0), Wayamba University (8-0) and University of Moratuwa (1-0) to set up a heavyweight semi-final clash with the hosts Colombo University. Colombo meanwhile had recovered well from their early hiccup as they thrashed Rajarata University 8-0, Uwa Wellassa University 3-1 and University of Ruhuna 3-0 to reach the final four, but were found wanting when it mattered most against Jaffna as they went down by a narrow 1-0 margin.
Elsewhere in the tournament Eastern University and University of Moratuwa looked to be in good form registering 4-1 and 4-0 wins over Kelaniya University respectively, before Eastern University beat Moratuwa on penalties to set up a meeting with Sri Jayawardanapura in the quarterfinal. The quality Eastern team were in for rude shock however, as they were beaten 3-1 by a much improved Sri Jayawardanepura team who also added University of Colombo to their list of victims in the third place play-off as they emerged second runners up after a penalty shootout with the game finishing 1-1 at the final whistle.
The final proved to be fitting testament to the unpredictable nature of the tournament as the highly fancied Jaffna University team playing in their 3rd consecutive final was beaten by the in-form Sabaragamuwa team who thoroughly deserved their win, coming back from being 1-0 down to steal a 2-1 victory against the defending champions.
Tournament Summary
Champions: Sabaragamuwa University
Runners Up: Jaffna University
Third Place: University of Sri Jayawardanepura
