De Mazenod College prevailed 2-1 in a heated affair against their arch rivals St. Benedict’s College in the inaugural Nihal Mendis Memorial Trophy encounter at the De Mazenod College Grounds, Kandana.
The first recorded annual encounter between De Mazenod and St. Benedict’s was held in the year 1968 for the Samarasinghe Trophy but was played only until 1974. An attempt to restart the match once again was made in 2014 during the re-opening of the De Mazenod Grounds. The trophy renamed as the Rev. Bro. Michael Roberts Memorial Trophy was won by St. Benedict’s that year but the encounter failed to continue the next year.
The 1997 All Island Champion De Mazenod team, headed by former Sri Lankan skipper Chathura Maduranga Weerasinghe, took the initiative of organizing the traditional encounter once again renamed the Nihal Mendis Memorial Trophy in honour of the great Mazenodian player and coach who passed away in 2014.
Photos: De Mazenod v St.Benedict’s – Nihal Mendis Memorial Trophy 2016
De Mazenod 2 : 1 St.Benedict’s – Nihal Mendis Memorial Trophy 2016
De Mazenod had the perfect start with an early goal in the 2nd minute when Dushan Fonseka’s long range curler soared over the Benedictine goalkeeper Ashan Sanjula and dipped into the goal at the far post, sending the home crowd into frenzy.
The visitors did not lose heart although they were trailing behind and played up finding their rhythm and putting up some attacks.
Their efforts became fruitful when Jerard Vaz made a brilliant run through the right flank passing to Shenal Kavinda who shot at goal. Though Romesh Chathuranga was able to get a hand on the ball Harain Fernando was on hand to tap it in from point blank range to equalize.
With the home crowd support encouraging, Mazenodians kept pushing upwards intensifying the game. Ranju Silva in particular made quite a few long range efforts but none were powerful enough to trouble the visiting keeper.
Bens nearly put in a second when Shenal cut through Avishka Jeewantha and passed across the goal where Alvin Pillai, who came in between a defender and the goalkeeper, could only provide a tame effort which was an easy collection for the goalkeeper.
A long through ball by Ranju saw both Pramuditha Gunasekara and Ashan charging for the ball; Ashan managed to punch the ball away in the nick of time but his follow on connected with Pramuditha’s head incapacitating him for a moment.
St.Benedict’s kept working on the right flank troubling the Mazenodian defence, but were unable to score as the teams went into half-time on level terms.
Half time – De Mazenod College 1 – 1 St. Benedict’s College
De Mazenod quickly started the game after half time conquering the opposition half but St.Benedict’s were not far behind keeping up their play.
However Pramuditha put in the second for the home team with a stunning long range pile driver that nestled into the top right corner of the goal in the 49th minute which ultimately became the deciding factor for the win.
Moments later Pramuditha pulled up the same spectacle but this time Ashan Sanjula was ready for it and was able to tip it onto the crossbar.
A missed pass by Mazenod nearly gifted the visitor’s a goal but Shenal’s shot was saved by Romesh.
A bit of confusion occurred when Ranju claimed his corner kick, which the keeper missed and the defender apparently cleared off the goal line, was a legitimate goal. But the referee stood strong saying it was not a goal.
Highlights – De Mazenod v St.Benedict’s – Nihal Mendis Memorial Football Encounter
It was Pramuditha who was a delight to see throughout the second half with his many rocket launcher shots on goal from long range, which kept the whole crowd, both home and away, equally mesmerized.
A scuffle ensured when Malindu Perera retaliated to Raheem Deen’s jersey tug. This nearly led to an all out warfare when a part of the home crowd invaded the pitch but it was quickly controlled by the organizers. The referee promptly sent off Malindu for his actions and booked Raheem for his jersey tug.
A handball just outside the penalty box saw Ravindu Hansaka receive a yellow card giving away St. Benedict’s a free kick in a dangerous position. The kick which flew towards the right post was put in by Niroshan Deeniho but the referee disallowed the goal as Niroshan initially pushed his defender from behind to get to the ball.
At one point the 10 man Benedictine team was found to be playing against a 12 man Mazenod team. The reason for this was although the previously injured Raheem was substituted with Nimshan Fernando, the side referee who was unaware of the switch allowed Raheem back into the game. The error was corrected by the officials putting the game back on track.
Pramuditha’s wild solo run from his own end of the pitch over to the other side was the last action of the game as De Mazenod clinched the Inaugural Nihal Mendis Memorial Trophy with the final blow of the whistle.
Full time – De Mazenod College 2 – 1 St.Benedict’s College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Pramuditha Gunasekara
Speaking to ThePapare.com St. Benedict’s coach Damodaran Chandrasiri had this to say,
‘It was a very good match today. Our team played a better game than they have been the past few weeks. We hope to put up a better show next year when we will be hosting.’
De Mazenod coach Rohitha de Costa also provided his thoughts to ThePapare.com;
‘Both teams played very well today. We could have scored more but I’m very happy with the result and also because Ranju Silva was able to win his final game as captain of the College.’
Goal Scorers
De Mazenod – Dushan Fonseka 2’, Pramuditha Gunasekara 49’
St. Benedict’s – Harain Fernando 12’Bookings
Yellow cards
De Mazenod – Pramuditha Gunasekara 49’, Raheem Deenu 69’, Ravindu Fernando 79’Red cards
St.Benedict’s – Malindu Perera 69’
