Maris Stella, Champions of Zahira 7’s

Maris Stella College, Negombo defeated Royal College 3-2 on penalties after the match ended goalless in the Cup Championship to clinch the Championship at the 11th Zahira Super 16 Soccer 7’s.

In the penalty shootout Sri Lanka U19 players, Dilip Peiris and Kasun Sandeepa scored for the lads from Negombo while the third was scored by Captain Supun Lahiru. Captain Tahiru Gunasekara and Chathura Avishka scored for the Reid Avenue boys where Dilip Peiris, who took on the gloves, was unlucky not to save both the spot-kicks after getting fingertips to it.

With the pressure on and needing to score, another one of Sri Lanka U19 caps Naveen Jude uncharacteristically sent his effort way over the goal to the jubilation of the Maristonians.

Earlier in the final both teams played good football even though conditions under foot were not suitable because of rain. It was the Royalists’ who had the chances early on with Sakun Divyanga choosing to go for goal instead of squaring off Mohamed Sajid who was in space.

Luck was not on the side of Royal with the upright coming to the rescue of Maris Stella of two occasions; one when a Sajid corner kick bounced off the near upright and a free-kick by him taking a deflection and rebounding off the same upright. Mushtaq Ramzi was rarely tested in the first half but when it did in the closing stages he made a couple of brilliant saves to deny Maris Stella.

Zahira College v Maris Stella College (1st Semi Final)

Maris Stella defeated hosts and defending champions, Zahira College 1-0 in the semifinal from a wonderfully crafted goal.

Seven time winners of the tournament Zahira College came in as favourites but faced a resolute Maris Stella defense throughout the match. The goal came in the second half as Maris Stella went on the counter and Kasun Sandeepa’s cross towards the far post was met by a diving Dilip Peiris header, silencing the home crowd.

Zahira College defeated De Mazenod College 1-0 in the 1st Quarter Final while Maris Stella overcame S.Joseph’s College in a penalty shootout 3-2 in the 4th Quarter Final.

S.Peter’s College v Royal College (2nd Semi Final)

Royal defeat another one of the favourites for the championship, S.Peter’s College 1-0 through a goal from Mohamed Sajid.

S.Peter’s dominated the match as Royal were reduced to defending which they did excellently, especially Ramzi who made a string of brilliant saves to keep the star-studded Peterites at bay. Ramzi was unlucky not to walk away with the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award after producing some brilliant saves throughout the day and keeping clean sheets in every match they played.

The goal came in the second half as a long throw-in was misjudged by the Peterite defense and Sajid taking advantage of it shot on the volley past Ashfaq Ayub towards the far post.

S.Peter’s beat Al Adhan College, Badulla 1-0 and Royal beat S.Benedict’s College 2-0 in the 2nd and 3rd Quarter Finals respectively.

Zahira College v S.Peter’s College (3rd Place)

A Farood Faiz goal helped Zahira salvage some pride defeating S.Peter’s College 1-0 to clinch the 3rd place.

In a match littered with Sri Lanka U19 caps on both sides it was the little Johan Wickramasinghe of S.Peter’s who got the first opportunity just before halftime going one on one with goalkeeper Mohamed Ishan but his effort was off target.

Faiz, the Sri Lanka U19 vice-captain in the second half scored with some individual brilliance going past two defenders and striking a fierce effort past Ayub while Ishan saved a certain goal with his foot from a thumping shot by Afam Akram.