Star player M.N.M.Izadeen achieved his first hatrick of the tournament against Don Bosco S.C. In conclusion Army dominated the game and qualified to score 8 goals to nil.
Inexperienced Don Bosco team did not expect such a goal margin as they tried their level best to score. Army skipper B.Warakagoda was well planned with his team and played the game according to their Manager’s instruction which helped them to win the game. Few of the Don Bosco players were school leavers while others were new recruitments. Last season’s Don Bosco stars had left the club and it has made a major impact on the club for the current season. SL Army has been showing their colours and producing skilled players for the country for a long time.
Opening goal of the game was scored by striker N. Rajapaksha in the 4th minute. Going in between two shoulders to collect a cross was very easy for Rajapaksha as his first goal was just a touch to the nets after receiving a cross from the right winger. His speediness and his body size has always been an advantage for him. After celebrating the first goal SL Army realized that this match is going to be an easy win for them. Nine minutes later hat-trick star Izadeen scored his goal by simply dribbling the ball between the defense-line and kicked the ball to the far post. Opponent Goalkeeper Chinthaka Sujeewa couldn’t even reach the ball and seemed slow in his movements.
Don Bosco used their foreign striker Georges Durel to score goals but found no success and he did not have the support needed from his team. Him playing alone in the attacking line could not pass a single defender even though he got a few lob passes and through passes. Don Bosco players rarely got a chance to get in to their attacking side of the pitch.
Midfielder Nadeeka Pushpakumara‘s classic goal 29th minute impressed the audience. A loopy shot taken by the young midfielder inside the penalty box reached the nets with no obstructions. Chinthaka Sujeewa could not even make a move to save the unexpected kick. Four minutes before the short whistle striker Izzadeen made way to his second goal. A lob pass given from his fellow team mate K.Sirisena to him has him racing there is a hurry and on collection, it was just a matter of placing the ball which did not even take seconds for Izzadeen to score the fourth goal of the match.
Don Bosco was down by 4 goals to nil at the lemons.
By the beginning of the second half Don Bosco had given up the game. Though few team members tried to make an attempt the ball was grabbed by the soldiers.
Izzadeen’s final goal was a through pass given by midfielder H.Priyankara. Izzadeen faked a run so that he could let the defender go away and then moved to the position where he collected ball safely. His hat-trick goal on the 50th minute was a powerful shot taken from his left foot right on to the nets. Three minutes later a free kick was awarded to the soldiers right on top of the penalty box. Skipper Warakagoda decided to take the shot. No individual on the ground expected the shot to be so fast. An unexpected moment to both the teams as the ball passed the goal line very faster through the corner of the goal post.
George Durel got a chance to show his talent once again. He received a pass from his skipper Priyankara Silva and he dribbled the ball. He managed to get through defenders but failed to take a shot as opponent skipper Warakagoda tackled George to kick the ball away.
Substitute Anil Shantha’s low pass helped striker N.Rajapaksha to score the 7th goal for their team. A pass given from the right side to Rajapaksha who kept on dribbling from the right side to the near post till he made a slow kick where the goal keeper couldn’t do anything about it other than watching. The last goal for the match was also a single man dribble. In the 80th minute Midfielder H. Priyankara managed to pass 2 defenders by showing some excellent dribbling skills and stood one on one with the goal keeper. Not taking too much trouble Priyankara lobbed the ball which went from the top of the goalkeeper. The final goal was celebrated by SL Army in style.
Don Bosco left the Longden place grounds disappointed while SL Army had the opportunity of collecting few extra points for goal scoring.
