The much awaited All Island ‘under 18 match’ between St Joseph’s College and Zahira College was worked off at the Moragasmulla grounds, Colombo.
Both teams came into the match unbeaten in their previous 5 games, making this game a mouthwatering affair with the winner taking the top spot in group A.
Zahira in a narrow win against Royal
Zahira College had to work hard to come out on top with a narrow 1-0 victory over Royal College in the 2018 U18 Division I…
Zahira kicked off the game amidst good spectator turnout for both teams. The two teams started off in frantic pace with the midfielders trying to stamp their authority in the game.
Early possession was with Zahira as they managed to send in a couple of crosses which did not find its mark. Joes steadily got into the game from midfield. Pingho for Joes was controlling the pace of the game with some slick passing and movements.
Joes committed plenty of fouls in thwarting Zahira moves in the midfield, which kept Zahira on the front foot and resulted in a corner which gave the break through to Zahira. Mohamed Akthar unmarked in the box headed home a brilliant corner kick in the 13th minute.
Mohamed Mushfir’s mistake at the back almost gave Joes the opportunity for S. Pingho to score. But a poor cross with no supporting forwards to take advantage was wasted. H.R Raza for Zahira was in the center of the park and all moves were directed by him. The Joes attack was through the middle to create opportunities for S. Pingho which Zahira defense covered superbly.
In the 22nd minute Mohamed Akthar got a superb opportunity to score his second goal only to send it wide from a free kick. Joes then got in the act and got the Zahira keeper Mohamed Shakir to work with some crosses in to the box from the right flank. It was S. Pingho who was in the thick of things.
S. Zaidh got a great chance in the 33rd minute unmarked inside the box; however he shot directly at the keeper. Just before the break Zahira’s H.R Riza worked his way from the left flank and was all clear on goal with only the goal keeper to beat, but he kicked straight at the advancing keeper S.S Jayasinghe who was good enough to make the save.
Half Time – St Joseph’s 0 – Zahira 1
In the second half St. Joseph’s kicked off trying to get back in to the game. Zahira on the other hand were looking to hold on to their lead.
Joes were on the front foot at the start of the half with couple of corners which they failed to capitalize due to poor crossings. Zahira on the other hand played some slick football with S. Sajid, M. Akthar and R. Riza working out passes in the Joes half.
In the 58th minute Joes had an opportunity close to the Zahira box with D.K Rupasinghe taking a free kick straight at the keeper. Immediately after that Zahira got a free kick almost at the same position when R. Raza was close as the ball went out inches from the bar.
R. Riza wasted another good chance when he went for power rather than placement, shooting wide of the left post. Zahira kept looking for a second goal, but poor finishing and bad passing let Joes off the hook.
In the last quarter of the match Zahira were in possession for most of the time and looked threatening. Joes on the other hand were putting bodies behind in defense. The only Josephian threat was S. Pingho, who was left alone without much support from his midfield or front line.
In the 84th minute R. Raza had the opportunity to kill the game, only for his shot to come off the post and Joes managing to clear their lines. Zahira continued to hold on to possession during the last few minutes of the match, and at the long whistle the score stayed one zero in favour of the Zahira boys.
Read: St. Patrick’s overcome Hameedia challenge
For Zahira Sahil Ahmed, M. Sajid, M. Mashoodh and H.R Raza were excellent. And For Joes S.Pingho, R. Joy, D.K.Rupasinghe and M.A Hussain played their hearts out.
Full Time – St Joseph’s 0 – Zahira 1
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Mohamed Akthar (Zahira)
Goal scorers
St Joseph’s College – Zahira College – Mohamed Akthar 13’Bookings
Yellow cards
St Joseph’s College – S. Rashminda 55’, D.K Rupasinghe 59’
Zahira College – H.R Raza 68’, M. Akthar 78’
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