St. Joseph’s College was too hot to handle for a lackluster Isipathana College line up as they were swept aside by a 6-0 score line in a U19 Division I group match worked off at the Moragasmulla grounds.
St. Joseph’s come into this game after a demolition job of Wickramabahu College, Gampola in their previous match (7-1) with a potential win in this tie guaranteeing a semifinal spot.
Isipathana College on the other showed some spirit against the same opposition to steal a point right at the depth to secure their second draw in succession (2-2). Consequently, both team were brimming in confidence in their own right walking into this game.
Wickramabahu suffers Josephian backlash
Wickramabahu College, Gampola suffered demolition job at the hands of St.Joseph’s College,
St. Joseph’s started off on the ascendency as they have done throughout the group stages of this year’s competition.
They gave little respite to their opponents as the boys in green were clearly unsettled by the onslaught. It took the Josephians as little as the 18th minute when Nimesh Salinda slid the ball past a rooted goalkeeper.
St. Joseph’s didn’t take the foot off the gas as they doubled their lead in the 23rd minute courtesy of a Sachintha Maduranga strike, painting a fateful picture for the Isipathana lads.
Asela Madushan rounded off an impressive half for the saints as he scored his opener on the stroke of half time potentially putting the game out of reach for Isipathana College.
Half time: Isipathana College 0 – 3 St. Joseph’s College
The St. Joseph’s lads left little room for a breather for their opponents as they had a real mauling in mind stepping into the second half.
Asela Madushan bagged his brace in the 48th minute as he was left completely unmarked after a Chamath Rashmitha cross from the right found his feet.
It was all St. Joseph’s beyond that point as they bossed all ends of the field. Amila Dananjaya launched an absolute missile from 25 yards out to score the fifth for the Darley Road lads as Nimesh Salinda chipped in with a brace of his own slotting home a spot kick won by Chamath Rashmitha on the 67th minute to round off a resounding victory, marching into the semifinals with flair.
The visitors had little to look back on as they were outplayed by a refined St. Joseph’s outfit which looks capable of taking down any opponent thrown their way.
Chamath Rashmitha was magnificent on the right as he was a constant threat for the Isipathana defence being at the heart of every offensive move despite registering a goal of his own.
Full time: Isipathana College 0 – 6 St. Joseph’s College
ThePapare.com Player of the match: Chamath Rashmitha (St.Joseph’s College)
Speaking to ThePapare.com the coach of St. Joseph’s College Mr. Sugath Sampath;
We have been playing a good brand of football this year and we have good momentum leading up to our big match against St. Peter’s. Depending on the results of Maris Stella College in their remaining games we will know our final group placing.
Goal Scorers
St. Joseph’s College – Nimesh Salinda 13’, 67’ (P), Sachintha Maduranga 23’, Asela Madushan 40 & 48’, Amila Dananjaya 60’
Bookings
Yellow cards
Isipathana College – K.P. Akash 15’, M.F.M. Fawzan 79’
St. Joseph’s College – Praboth Madushanka 79’
