Hameed Al Husseinie College started off their U19 Division I campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over St. Peter’s College in Bamabalapitiya.
Heading into lemons with the score deadlocked on nil all, the visitors nicked a late winner through an own goal.
Both sides came into the game knowing a win was vital in stamping their authority on their group. Last year’s runners-up and 2016 Schools’ Games champions Hameed Al Husseinie, who were playing their first game of the tournament started off in a far more positive fashion than their opponents St. Peter’s, who are currently preparing for their annual big match with St. Joseph’s College while reeling from the drawn match against Royal College.
In a game where clear-cut opportunities were few and far between, Hameedia bossed possession in the opening ten minutes, even carving out a half chance as early as the second minute.
However, soon it was St. Peter’s who took control of the game thanks to some brilliant play by their midfield pair of Dananjaya and Shehan Liyanapathirana.
The Peterites saw their first chance arrive in the 12th minute when Ishan Danusha sent in a free kick after a foul on Liyanapathirana.
Even though they enjoyed the lion-share of possession, the Bambalapitiya lads failed to carve out decent chances and had to resort to sending the ball into the box from long-distance free kicks.
The best chance of the half rightfully fell to St. Peter’s when Liyanapathirana’s scrumptious free-kick, misjudged by Johan Wickramasinghe, missed the header completely with just the goalie to beat.
Half time – St.Peter’s College 0 – 0 Hameed Al Husseinie College
The second half started in the same way the first half did, with the ball spending a lot of time in the middle of the park.
Even though St. Peter’s hogged the ball, Hameed Al Husseinie looked more threatening than they did in the first 45 with Mohamed Rishan and Aman Faizer playing key roles.
Rishan in particular, had much joy down the left flank and gave the Peterite full back Mohammed Shimer a torrid evening, but was unable to find a way past Danusha.
Supporting Faizer in his duties was Afzal Ahamed, who unlocked the Peterite defence on a number of occasions.
The midfielder created one of the best chances in the game on the 70 minute mark when his pass pulled Peterite custodian Hirusha off his line. The Hameedian managed to take a shot on goal but unfortunately, the shot was directed straight at Wickramasinghe, who headed away comfortably.
Shortly after, St. Peter’s imposed themselves on the game to find themselves in a glorious position when Ishan Danusha received a beautifully hoicked pass with just the keeper Dinesh to beat, but the Sri Lanka Youth national scuffed his effort out wide.
In a subdued atmosphere, the game was settled in the last few minutes by a moment of sheer brilliance by Hameed Al Husseinie’s Mohamed Sahlan who picked up the ball and dribbled past 4 defenders with some wonderful footwork only to be tackled by Shimer while taking a shot. Unfortunately Shimer’s tackle caused the ball to ricochet off his boot and into the back of the net, leaving his goalkeeper stranded.
Full time – St.Peter’s College 0 – 1 Hameed Al Husseinie College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Aman Faizer (Hameed Al Husseinie)
Speaking to ThePapare.com after the match, Hameed Al Husseinie Coach Mohamed Imran said;
“We had plenty of chances but we didn’t take them today. And when we don’t it makes the game tougher, as it was today. Both these teams are very good and we don’t take any game for granted. We are happy with the result.”
The St. Peter’s College coach Isuru Perera was unable for comment.
Goal Scorers
Hameed Al Husseinie College – Mohamed Shimer (OG) 78’
