Half Time – Matale v Defence Services 1-0
Defence Services began the second half looking more confident, as the break seemed to have influenced positively to their game.
The defending champions, started to attack with more intent and precision, and nearly found the equalizer early in the game only a last ditch effort from Matale preventing the equalizer.
But the perseverance of the Defence Services was rewarded through a short corner when Full Back R. Ranasinghe hammered the ball in past the Matale goalkeeper who was wrong footed, finally providing the equalizer.
Goals came much easier in the second half for the men in blue (DS) with K. Jayasundara providing the breakthrough with a lunging effort to place the ball past the Matale keeper. Two goals in the space of five minutes really put the pressure on the Matale lads, who now found themselves a goal down, in such a short space of time, after leading for over 40 minutes of the game.
However, M. Mulafer put the game to bed with two goals to his name of which the first one was a brilliant effort of a good counter attack with slick passes through the middle, as Mulafer’s shot evaded the scrambling effort of the Matale goal keeper. 4-1 ahead, Matale had a stiff task ahead to atleast take the game into extra time.
K.Jayasundara added more salt into the wounds of Matale HC with a final goal before the full time whistle. This time, it was a scrappy, scrambling effort but it served its purpose as the Defence Services ended on top and claimed the rightful ownership of the Senior Nationals title with a resounding victory in the finals over worthy opponents Matale HC.
Earlier in the day, Mercantile beat Kegalle HC 4-2 to record victory and claim the third place spot.
