The traditional Josephian – Peterite soccer encounter will be played today at CR & FC Grounds, Colombo. This will be the 24th edition of the traditional Big Match.
St. Josephs College and St. Peters College; known to be “brother schools” are also considered to be bitter rivals in the sporting arena, whether it be cricket, rugby, football or any other sport. This sporting rivalry, also known as the “Battle of the Saints” gets a taste of the beautiful game each year with the soccer Big Match. Being one of the most anticipated and exciting fixtures any local football fan would and should watch out for, particular rivalry also adds a facelift to the local schools football scene. While it is rare to see a buzz or a filled stadium at a local soccer game, this particular fixture has been able to be of a difference. The passion and spirit surfaced by this beautiful sporting rivalry has been an amazing experience for the players as well as the spectators.
As in the previous years the juniors matches will be played prior to the 1st XI battle. The U-13 match is scheduled to kick-off at 1.00 p.m. followed by the U-15 match 2.00 p.m. Traditionally, a match between the Old Joes S.C and Old Peterites S.C will also be played as an exhibition game at 3.00 p.m. the much anticipated Big Match battle between the 1st XI teams of the two schools will kick off at the blow of referees’ whistle at 4.00 p.m.
The Josephian outfit is currently under an impressive form, with the back up from their amazing performance during the pre-season friendlies and the on-going A-Division Milo Championships. Joes are currently on the top of their group with stellar wins over De Mazenod College, Wickramabahu Vidyalaya and Hindu College. On the other hand, the Peterite side too have put up a superb show in their pre-season warm up games and at the A-Division Milo Championships. The two teams will meet each other for the 1st time of the season at the Big Match and both the teams will come in with superb form and a deep craving for victory.
Looking at the history of this fixture, Peterites have won the tally with 12 wins, whereas the Josephians have won only 10 times. Last year’s Big Match concluded in a draw due to bad light and teams were declared as joint champions. The last time the Peterite saw victory in this fixture was back in 2008 and since then it was the Josephians who had been doing their job right. So Peterites will be going into the field on Wednesday with hopes of breaking the jinx while the lads in blue and white will have to put out everything to keep the trophy at home. This time it will be St. Joseph’s College hosting St. Peters College. The encounter which will be played for the 24th time for the Stanley De Silva challenge trophy will be graced by the presence of Ranil Fernando, the Josephian 1st XI skipper for the years 84-85.
