St.Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya proved to be a handful to an underpowered Isipathana College, as the former trumped the latter 3-1 in the U19 Division I group stage match held at Cooray Park.
Victory was of paramount importance as both these teams were coming off the back foot from the previous matches.
It was Isipathana College with U. L. Nipun that immediately woke up the defence of the Sebastianites, as he strung up some great passes in the midfield.
However, St. Sebastian’s did not seem fettered by such threats, as Chathuranga Appuhami utilised his left side well, which made it a see-saw battle to draw first blood.
Ironically, it was the boys in green that created the first proper chance within the first few minutes of the game with Nipun opening himself up in the left side of the Sebs penalty box only to hit the woodwork.
The boys donning the red jersey (St. Sebastian’s College) registered the first shots on target with Chathuranga and Hansaka Wijekoon keeping the Isipathana keeper, Randy Silva, on his toes.
The Sebs’ defence eventually grew into the game as Prasad Vimukthi began to quickly and accurately clear the ball off his half to transition into a counter.
It was almost at the mid-point of the first half that a throw in from the Katuneriya lads forced a defensive error from the Isipathana back four where the ball made its way to an unmarked Chaturanga who slotted it over the keeper and into the back of the net giving St. Sebastian’s College the lead.
This goal led to a resurgent Isipathana team as they began to knock on the doors of their opponents. However, this proved to be fruitless due to St. Sebastian’s midfielders dropping back to support the back four and thwart the attacks of Isipathana College.
Half time – Isipathana College 0 – 1 St. Sebastian’s College
The commencement of the second half saw St. Sebastian’s College try and increase the lead, as Chathuranga and Sadiya Nishshanka strung up some great tiki – taka passes, however, this passing proved in vain as it lacked the finishing touches.
It was noticeable that Isipathana College succumbed to fatigue, as they did not play with the intensity they possessed in the first half.
The second goal of the day came through a set piece free kick unnecessarily conceded by the boys in green in the middle of the park. It was Prasad who stepped up and lifted the ball right into the Isipathana penalty area, which a proficient Randy could have easily plucked, however, Laksiri Fernando arrived first to head the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net.
The boys in green immediately responded with Shahidul Salih timing his run to perfection from a long ball delivered by Nipun from the midfield, which led to Salih smashing one in to get Isipathana back into the game.
This saw the midfield of the Sebs, namely, Kavindu Nishara and Sudarshana Fernando, drop back once again to support the back four with the likes of Prasad.
Salih and Nipun continued to give chase to the Sebs as they kept using the flanks to get their deep lying players to overload the penalty area, thus making their opponents vulnerable to an error.
However, this gallant effort was overshadowed when the Sebs sealed the deal with another goal through a brilliant solo effort by Chathuranga on the left wing where he calmly slotted one into the bottom right corner of the net, thereby ending the match in favour of the boys in red.
Full time – Isipathana College 1 – 3 St. Sebastian’s College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Chathuranga Appuhami
Speaking to ThePapare.com, a flustered Isipathana Head Coach, Mr. Nanayakkara said;
“We could have played much better, but due to the absence of 4 key players in our team, it seemed to be a tall order, especially when the third goal was scored”
Goal scorers
Isipathana College – Shahidul Salih 45’
St. Sebastian’s College – Chathuranga Appuhami 21’ & 60’, Laksiri Fernando 44’Bookings
Yellow cards
St. Sebastian’s College – Laksiri Fernando 03’, Sudarshana Fernando 62’
