Zahira College Colombo managed to see off St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya by a slender margin as they beat them 1-0, in the U19 Division I football match played at the Zahira College grounds.
Zahira kicked things off in their own back yard, starting in their usual fashion pressing their opponents high. The Peterites on the flipside seemed to have prepared themselves for the onslaught as they countered by increasing their tempo as well.
Consequently both teams shared a scrappy first 10 minutes of the game. There was no real conviction going forward as both midfields failed to seize the initiative.
The first most telling chance of the half fell to Mohomed Murshid as an incomplete clearance looped up inside the Peterite box, however he made a complete meal of his volley to see the ball timidly crawl out of the playing area.
That spelled the beginning of a Zahirian barrage as St. Peter’s were pinned defending their lines. A steady back line paired with a couple of decent saves by the Peterite custodian Hirusha Malshan ensured that the lads from Bambalapitiya remained on level terms.
On the other side St. Peters’ forwards had a few escapades upfront as they did throw a few causes for concern for Zahira at the back. Yet the host’s saw off the danger with ease thanks to an experienced back line.
The closest the Peterites came was when Jerome Kaushal towered over his counterpart to head the ball for it flare over the cross bar off a Peterite corner.
St. Peter’s continued to hold firm defensively as it seemed to frustrate their free scoring hosts. Despite the defensive shift the Peterites weren’t hampered going forward as they grew in confidence as the game progressed.
Neither team were able to settle into a rhythm as they had to be content with the long range efforts despite one particular instance where a Zahira effort on goal was cleared by Johan Wickramasingha off the line.
With their persistent pressure, the dying minutes of the 1st half proved to be pivotal for the hosts Zahira as they finally managed to breach the determined Peterite defense. Skipper Farood Faiz squared the ball across the box to Mohomed Murshid to side foot the ball home in the 45th minute.
Half time – Zahira College 1 – 0 St. Peter’s College
St. Peter’s began the second half rather tentatively as the late first half goal seemed to have hampered their spirits. Nevertheless, it remained as it stood at half time with Zahira cramped for space in the final third.
With a combination of both good defense by the Peterites and a lack of edge by the Zahirians ensured that the Peterites still had hope in terms of salvaging the game.
The chances were few and farfetched as St. Peter’s gradually camped in defense. Zahira still remained in control yet the Peterites were given a few glimpses on goal which they failed to capitalize on. The game continued to revolve in bits and pieces with Zahira threatened with losing their slender margin.
During a late surge the Zahira lads managed to keep the St. Peter’s keeper on his toes on a couple of occasions while clattering the bar in between.
The game lost its bite as many tired bodies lacked the ability to play at the same intensity in which they started the game. The final couple of minutes handed the Peterites consecutive free kicks which they didn’t managed to trouble the Zahira goal with.
The game soon came to a close handing Zahira their first points of this year’s competition3
Full time – Zahira College 1 – 0 St.Peter’s College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Ishan Danusha (St.Peter’s College)
Goal Scorers
Zahira College – Mohomed Murshid 45’Bookings
Yellow Cards
St. Peter’s College – Ishan Danusha
Speaking to ThePapare.com the coach of Zahira College Mohamed Roomy;
“We played a good attacking game today from the start. Our boys have the semi-finals (Kotmale U19 Championship) in mind hence they were cautious and seemed a bit under pressure. We created a lot of chances but converted just one but St. Peter’s defended well. But overall I’m satisfied with today’s performance”
