St. Joseph's College Colombo v St. Benedict's College Colombo - Schools football 2016 - CR and FC Grounds - 28/6/ 2016 - Sachintha Maduranga (R) dribbling his way past the keeper to score for St. Joseph's
St.Joseph’s College Maradana comfortably defeated St.Benedict’s College 2-0, in a Kotmale Chox U19 Schools Football Championship group match worked off at CR & FC grounds.
The Josephians kicked things off with their confidence sky high negotiating their previous three group games in style. St. Benedict’s had a match on their hands up against an unstoppable Joes offense along side a defensive line which hasn’t been troubled thus far.
The early exchanges proved nothing but that, as the Darley road lads dominated proceedings from the word go.
Despite their best efforts the St.Benedict’s lads held firm at the back frustrating the Joes front line. An unfortunate injury to Sayura Bimsara brought in Kavindya Rupesinghe who has been among goals thus far.
His entrance provided that extra bite the Joes lacked up until that point as his quick feet and pace seemed to unsettle the Bens defense which seemed to clean up at the back well.
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With one shot following another Josephians were certainly knocking on the door. It was certainly a matter of time till they grabbed a deserved first goal.
On the stroke of the 43rd minute a beautifully threaded Chamath Rashmitha through ball found the feet of Nimesh Salinda who finished from a cute angle despite the best efforts of an advancing keeper.
The visitors were distraught after conceding that late and went into for lemons with a lot to be done in the second half.
The boys from Kotahena came out with some intent as they were clearly more composed in the final third.
However, they managed to hardly trouble the Joes keeper who hardly had to sweat till that point. It was an even match up leading up the 57th minute when a swift counter by the Joes resulted in a testing effort by Kavindya Rupesinghe which was dealt with by the St.Benedict’s keeper, yet his defense was unable deal with the rebound as Sachintha Maduranga cashed in to potentially seal the game in favor of the Darley road boys.
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The Josephians’ managed to trouble the woodwork a couple of times after that yet there was very few sparks on the other end for the St.Benedict’s lads.
The final whistle marked an abysmal performance for the visitors who produced very little out of the tie. They’ll have their work cut out during the rest of their group games to give any sort of hope of progressing to the knockout phase.
Amila Dananjaya was the talisman in the middle for the Joes as he showed ample composure in tight spaces provided pivotal passes to release his front men. His defensive contribution was no second to that as his crucial interceptions won valuable possession dismantling the StBenedict’s rhythm.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Amila Dananjaya
