Maris Stella College had to dig deep in an enthralling second half performance as they came back from a goal behind to steal the points off St.Joseph’s College to go on to win 2-1, in the U19 Division I group A game worked off at Moragasmulla grounds.
St. Joseph’s were the quickest off the blocks as they took on a makeshift Maris Stella line up who were lacking services of two of their regular starters. After coming close on numerous occasions to open the scoring St. Joseph’s finally broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Sachintha Maduranga gave them a well-deserved lead.
With the wind in their sails, the Josephians had little respite for the rather lackluster Maris Stella lads.
However the lads from Negombo managed to find their feet during the latter exchanges of the first half as they ensured that they went into lemons with minimum damage.
Noteworthy, Asela Madushan had a handful of occasions to put the game to bed only to be denied by his own inability to be clinical in the final third of the field.
Half time – St.Joseph’s 1 – 0 Maris Stella College
The second half saw Maris Stella come out with a bit more intent than the first, after a few stern words during the half time break. Consequently, they managed to control the midfield leaving St.Joseph’s at bay as they were frustrated for ball possession.
Despite being on the back-foot St.Joseph’s had the best chances of the second half to open the score, nevertheless Sachintha Maduranga saw his effort come off the crossbar while Asela Madushan squandered a sitter with the goal at his mercy.
Maris Stella made good use of the opportunity as Thathsara Fernando nailed a volley off a partially cleared corner from inside the penalty box, in the 67th minute.
The equalizer set panic into the St.Joseph’s ranks as they saw Mayuraka Perera their skipper being cautioned shortly after. Joes continued to concede possession in crucial areas of the field as Nisal Tharinda managed to wreak havoc on the right.
Yet another set piece in the 77th minute saw the undoing of the St.Joseph’s defence as they went to sleep completely for Shanon Dabrera to tap the ball home from close range.
With time running away St.Joseph’s threw caution to the wind as they pushed quite a few bodies forward.
Maris Stella managed to hold on and take the points as they made it three wins out of three and break St.Joseph’s unbeaten record in this is year’s U19 Division I competition to maintain their hundred percent record.
Full time: St.Joseph’s College 1 – 2 Maris Stella College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Nisal Tharinda (Maris Stella College)
Speaking to ThePapare.com the Coach of St.Joseph’s College Mr.Sampath;
“We wasted so many chances in both halves and went to sleep in defence. It wasn’t a game we should have lost but unfortunately we did. We need to improve before we play our next game.”
Speaking to ThePapare.com the Coach of Maris Stella College;
“We played today without two usual starters due to injury and personal reasons. That’s why we started off slow but we managed to come back into the game in time to make sure we maintained our good start to the tournament.”
Goal Scorers
St. Joseph’s College – Sachintha Maduranga 16’
Maris Stella College – Thathsara Fernando 67’, Shanon Dabrera 77’
