A late goal from S.Thomas’ College earned them a 1-1 draw against Dharmaraja College in a group game in the Kotmale Chox U19 Schools Football Championship at the S.Thomas’ College Big Club Grounds in Mount Lavinia.
Both teams were desperate to grab a result to improve their odds of qualifying to the next round.
Dharmaraja College kicked off the game and took just 15 minutes to get their first clear-cut chance where striker Gihan Deshapriya, after smart combination play with central midfielder Talagune, forced Thomian custodian Arshad Hameem to make a smart save.
The Rajans dominated the game over the course of the half with right winger Ariyaratne playing a key role. The combination of Deshapriya and Ariyaratne down the right side created havoc with Thomian left back Dirk Jansen having a torrid first half hour.
Ariyaratne’s vision as well as his immense crossing ability threatened the Thomian back-line constantly, but he was not supported by his strikers as they failed to get on the end of any of the crosses.
Deshapriya in particular seemed to have left his shooting boots at home as he missed a chance after chance after some great work initially.
The Thomians too had the occasional chance as skipper Dion Dias and his deputy Seshan Mathangaweera, both tried to grab the game by the scruff of the neck with their tough tackling.
The understanding between the two was evident as they managed to free up space for 15 year old Shannon Ebeneezer, who threatened on occasion.
The Thomian bench also decided to introduce the likes of winger Nikesh Anjana in the first half itself, a decision that nearly paid dividends as he came close to scoring.
The first half came to a close the same way it began, with neither side being able to break the deadlock.
Half time – S.Thomas’ College 0 – 0 Dharmaraja College
The Thomians kicked off the second half with both sides not making any changes. The first 5 minutes was once again a settling in period with neither side willing to threaten.
The first clear cut chance of the half deservedly fell to the Rajans who on this occasion used the left flank. The left back fed a beautiful through pass to Deshapriya who squared it for Ariyaratne with only the keeper to beat, but unfortunately he skied his effort well over the bar.
Deshapriya kept pushing with his marauding runs but was ably contained by Jansen and Selvakumar who managed to block two of his efforts.
Arshad Hameem was the hero yet again for the Thomians in the 60th minute with a vital save off Ariyaratne who had been set free by Deshapriya.
Dias played a key role in the Thomian fight back with his speculative efforts from distance coming close to catching the Rajans off guard.
Shannon Ebeneezer and Nikesh Anjana were also in the thick of things with Ebeneezer in particular coming close to giving the Thomians the lead.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 73rd minute when Dharmaraja fullback Madubashana sent in a delightful cross from the right flank which was volleyed into the net by Ariyaratne for a well-deserved goal.
The lead was short-lived however as replacement striker Dinil Gonawela scored for the hosts following a goal mouth scramble with the Thomians really coming alive in the final 10 minutes.
The Rajans had one more chance to win it in the 85th minute off a cross by Weerakoon but Ariyaratne was only able to guide it onto the post.
The boys from Mount nearly had the last laugh however, with Sasika Jayasuriya’s cross from the right falling perfectly to Gonawela, who was unfortunate to see his header met by the bar in the dying seconds.
The teams shared the spoils with task of qualifying seeming to be a tough task for both sides.
Full time – S.Thomas’ College 1 – 1 Dharmaraja College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: N.T. Ariyaratne (Dharamaraja College)
Dharmaraja College Coach A.M.U.Amarakoon talked about the game;
“We were unlucky with a number of shots coming off the post. No regrets about the result however as the boys showed a lot of heart.”
Thomian coach Sunil Shantha added;
“The team didn’t play well enough on their home grounds today and failed to live up to the standards from the St.Joseph Vaz match. The changes clearly worked however, and we will see over the coming week how we can adapt in the run up to our next game.”
