Zahira College once again rose to the throne, defeating Alighar National School 1-0 in the final of the U20 Schools Football Championship 2024 played at the Racecourse International Stadium.
With the win Zahira avenged their 2023 championship loss in the final, where Alighar won 5-4 on penalties after it ended 0-0 at full time.
Alighar led by Sri Lanka U20 captain Mohamed Munsif had a good start but against the run of play Zahira took the lead in the 8th minute when Aaqil Amanulla reacted the quickest to score past Mohamed Musthak. Mohamed Shail did the initial good work coming into the box from the left and Musthak could only palm Shail’s low cross onto the path of Aaqil.
READ MORE
- Alighar v Zahira final in a repeat of 2023
- Alighar, Zahira, Hameed Al Husseinie & St. Joseph’s into semis
- Aidan outshines Mukhtar as Gateway makes it 6 in a row
- Old Thomians down Peterite FC in annual encounter
- Co approves home or away format for SAFF Championship
- Yemen dismantle Sri Lanka with goals in either half
- Sri Lanka stuns 154th-Ranked Yemen with historic 1-0 victory
Alighar had three free-kicks but were unable to test Ahamed Shareef in goal while an excellent volleyed effort forced Shareef into a diving save. Alighar nearly found the equalizer when an effort from outside the box looped over Shareef and crashed onto the far post and the rebound struck the back of Shareef before being cleared away, much to the relief of Zahira faithful.
Minutes before half time it was Zahira who rattled the crossbar with a thumping strike as they went into the break with a lead.
Half Time – Zahira College 1 – 0 Alighar National School
Alighar had an opportunity early in the 2nd half but Mohamed Thilham could only curve the ball just beyond the far post. An effort from distance saw Shareef punch the ball onto the path of Munsif but it hit his chest and went out for a goal-kick.
It was a sedate 2nd half from Zahira who looked to slow the game and eat into the time as much as possible. Their only real chance came from Fareeq Ahamed who left footed curler from outside the box forced Musthak into a diving save.
Match Summary
Goal Scorers
Zahira – Aaqil Amanulla 8’
3rd Place – St. Joseph’s College v Hameed Al Husseinie College
St. Joseph’s College defeated Hameed Al Husseinie College 4-3 on penalties after it ended 1-1 at normal time to win 3rd place of the U20 Schools Football Championship 2024 at the City Football League Compex.
Ross Abner gave Joes the lead in the 29th minute through a clinical header from a corner. It needed a R.A. Rahuman free-kick deep into added time (90+3’) for Hameedians to force the game into penalties.
In the penalty shootout Hameedians missed two penalties to Josephians’ one as it ended 4-3.
Match Summary
Goal Scorers
St. Joseph’s – Ross Abner 29’
Hameed Al Husseinie – R.A. Rahuman 90+3’
>>Click Here for more Football News <<
