Old Thomians FC forward Yusuf Rahman was in fine form netting a hat-trick and setting up another in a 4-0 win over New Soccer Promoters when the teams locked horns the 1st round of the FA Cup at the Railway Grounds Ratmalana.
New Soccer Promoters created much of the early chances in the game with their forwards being wasteful in front of goal as the Old Thomians struggled to settle in to the game.
However they found themselves a goal down after poor defending on the counter allowed OTFC midfielder Vishagan Somalingakumar to cross the ball into the box, where Rahman controlling the cross drilled home past the keeper at the near post.
The two combined again to score the second from a corner as Vishagan’s cross was poked home at the near post by Rahman to put the Old Thomians 2-0 up.
Rahman then set up the third after finding winger Ashwin Dias in space at the edge of the box, who then curled a shot into the top corner with the outside of the boot to take the Old Thomians into a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time.
The second half saw both teams losing a bit of their flow as fatigue and substitutions made it difficult for both teams to settle.
The New Soccer Promoters team kept finding themselves offside as the high OTFC defensive line paid dividends on several occasions in the second half.
Rahman was not to be denied a third though as he completed his hat-trick with 10 minutes to play after a cross from the left found in unmarked in the box allowing him to hammer the ball into the roof of the net.
The Old Thomians will now face Piliyandala Town FC in the second round, who also registered a 4-0 win in their first round game against Moratu SC Katukurunda.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Yusuf Rahman
