Defending champions Old Bens will take on Kurunegala Veterans in the finals of the ‘Over 40 Championship.’
This is the 7th Annual ‘Over 40’ Tournament organized by the Sri Lanka Soccer Masters Association and the final will be played on the 31st of January at the St.Benedict’s Ground, Kotahena.
On the road to the finals Old Bens defeated Old Petersons 1-0 in the quarter final and beat Super Stars 3-0 on penalties after the match ended 0-0 in the semifinal.
Kurunegala defeated Badulla Veterans 2-1 in a close encounter and although Badulla logged a protest for an unregistered player the decision came in favour of the winners. In the semifinal Kurunegala once again won with a 2-1 score, this time against Negombo Veterans.
Kurunegala Veterans’ M.A.Hanifa who played for Ratnam and Negombo Jupiters and Old Bens’ S.A.M.Muneer who played for Ratnam are the only former National players from both sides.
Old Bens won in 2010 under the captaincy of Athula Perera and in 2014 under the captaincy of Sisira Perera.
Kurunegala Veterans twice came to quarter finals only to be beaten by Kandy Veterans in 2014 and by Trinco Veterans in 2013. This is the first time they are in the finals.
On paper Old Bens seems to be slightly stronger and the better side but Hanifa is a player who can spoil the chances of Old Bens.
The championship will be for the Thilak Peiris Challenge Trophy and the winners will receive a cash prize of Rs.100,000/- and the runner-up will get Rs.50,000/-. Most valuable player and the best goalkeeper will get a trophy and a Rs.7,500/- cash cheque each.
Squads
Old Bens Squad
Jude Perera – Sisira Perera – Donald Fernando (Capt.) – D. Chandrasiri – Jayantha Wanigasooriya – Athula Perera – Sajith Gomez – Ravi Alphonso – Romesh C. Wallace – P. Nishantha – A. D. Nathar – S. Priyantha – R. Rameez – D. Manjula – K. Sudhara – T. Johnson – G. A. Charith – T. S. Perera – P. A. Kumarvel – Samantha Fernando – X. C. Fernando – Nishantha Perera – Mahesh – G. S. Fernando – S. Balendran
Kurunegala Veterans
H.Sulphikar – D.M.I. Somrathna – M. Illiyas – V.H.R.Malavana – H.Y.Upali – T.M.F.Kichilan – Sampath Senanayake – P. C. Lal – M.S.K.N de Silva – K.K.N de Silva – M.A.Hanifa – A.R.M Nazar – T.L.I Kumara – M.S.B. Munawwar – M.J.A.Kareem – T.M.S.Kitchilan – M.J.M.Kanifa – S.M.A.Sadath – S.A.M.Muneer – K.S.V.N.Karunasigha – G.Nihal Chandradasa.
