St Joesph’s- Mannar beat SLTB 3 goals to 2 at Shalika grounds in the knockout round of FA cup
We are into the knockout stages in the FA cup this year, 32 teams battling for a place in the final and a chance to take the cup home. SLTB went head to head with St Joesph’s-Mannar in their knockout match at Shalika Grounds.
It was familiar conditions for SLTB and they surely had home ground advantage while St Joesph’s playing far away from home had nothing to loose but everything to gain. SLTB kicked off proceedings and from the beginning they looked threatening. First few minutes into the game they already got so close to score but let the chances go a begging due to some silly play. The boys from Mannar looked unsettled first up but slowly their forwards started to hit the stride. Seventeen minutes into the game St Joesph’s drew first blood as the ball was stolen cheaply from the SLTB defenders. FQ Rexon was the only red shirt with two defenders up ahead; he easily managed to bisect the two defenders and slid ball through the keepers legs for his first goal for this match.
SLTB had more possession right throughout the first half but failed to find the back of the net due lazy play by their midfielders and their forwards. The boys from Mannar on the other hand were lethal on the counter attack, they were quick to pounce on the loose ball and run it through to the other side of the field. SLTB was awarded a penalty when St Joesph’s Goal keeper F Anjoin shoved away right extreme LJ Rohana inside the penalty box. But they were unable to get on the scoreboard when AHN Jayaweera only managed to find the cross bar.
SLTB kept attacking but the boys from Mannar were upto the challenge. Thirty one minutes into the game, the Mannar boys drew blood again when they pulled off another counter attack after a series of chances created by SLTB. SLTB were too committed on the offence and they left their defense open and St Joesph’s made the most out of it when midfielder D Jesurasa received the ball from the keeper, passed the ball to his forward FQ Rexon who for the second time found of the back of the net. The boys from Mannar are surely on their way to cause a major upset this season.
Just before the stroke of half time SLTB managed get back into the game when WAL Dinara scored their first goal of the match. LJ Rohana’s cross from the right extreme was spot on, Dinara didn’t have much to do. SLTB went into break with momentum but they were disappointing in the first half. On the other hand Mannar boys were in a strong position.
Half Time : SLTB 1 – St Joesph’s Mannar 2
SLTB continued their attacking play and managed to level the scores in the 46th minute when the ball was stolen from St Joesph’s defenders. AHCN Jayaweera managed to cross the ball which found KLA Greru who directed the ball right into the back of the net. The home side was back in the game with that goal. Possession was held by SLTB right throughout the match but when St Joesph’s Mannar get the ball they looked threatening. SLTB defense was all over the place right throughout which let the forwards of St Joesph’s to easily have clear shots on goal. Both teams created chances but failed to trouble the scoreboard. Just as the game looked to be heading towards extra time, the boys from Mannar were awarded with a goal when Ronson Croos shot the free kick from the half line on goal in the 67th minute. SLTB goal keeper made a mess out of that easy ball when he slipped and the ball bounced over him and rolled its way to the back of the net. It was a heart breaking sight for the SLTB players to see the chance in the pre-quarter finals slipping away from them.
Till the final minute SLTB kept on creating chances but failed to trouble the scoreboard. Time was running out and finally the referee blew the final whistle giving the boys from Mannar a fine victory over SLTB.
Full Time : SLTB 2 – St Joesph’s-Mannar 3
SLTB Goal Scorers
WAL Dinara 39 minute
KLA Greru 46 minute
St Joesph’s – Mannar
FQ Rexon 17, 31 Minute
Ronason Croos 67 minute
