Ratnam SC down Bhutan's Transport United 7-1

Bernard Perera

Ratnam sports club hosting the AFC President's group 'C' came out with a brilliant performance to beat Bhutan 7 goals to one under lights at Sugahtadasa Stadium yesterday. Ratnam SC representing Sri Lanka went ahead just 17 minutes into the game when Transport United SC from Bhutan failed to hold the fast running striker EB Channa collecting a good pass from Mohammed Azmeer and slammed in the goal Bhutanese equalled in the 23rd minute through Ugyen Wanchuck.

Six minutes later it was Mohamed Azmeer who moving from left found the net through a well calculated 25 meter kick to extend the lead 2-1.

Azmeer was at his best from the left wing. Once again Channa collected a another good ball and dribbled past the defenders to make it 3-1 in favour of the host team just three minutes left for lemons. Up to this stage Bhutanese could not cope the speed and the short passes and also looked a tired lot.

The turn around commenced with Bhutan trying to make a comeback with quick passes for few minutes tried to penetrate the defence line of Ratnam. The defence line headed by former Sri Lanka skipper Dudley Steinwall stood on to their strength effectively.

This resulted badly for the visitors as they could not make any inroads to the goal territory of their opponents. The visitors could never was able to pose a big threat to the local custodiam at any stage of the game.

Chathura Maduranga the national skipper who manned the midfield well managed to increase the score line making the scoreboard read 4-1 (59th minute). In less than a minute tragedy struck once again for Transport United SC when Sri Lanka's number one striker Kasun Jayasuriya struck a goal 5-1 in favour of the hosts Ratnam SC.

Six minutes left for the final blow it was Nadeeka Pushpakumara who found the net. Pushpakumara was the second half substitute who replaced Rawmee Mohideen. Pushpakumara's inclusion at this stage was a vice move by the coach Sampath Perera.

Just before the injury time was instructed Channa made his hattrick of goals and also the seventh for the local team. The final score read 7-1.

E.B Channa the highest scorer for the Ratnam team was adjudged as the man of the match to receive the Dialog Cellular phone presented by Dialog the sponsor Mukthar Al-Yarimi from Yemen controlled the game.

Sampath Perera the coach of Ratnam SC soon after match said that victory was a good one but I am not satisfied with the score line. Last year we defeated Bhutanese 6-1 on foreign soil, playing under conditions we are used to the score line should have been much better. I also found out few faults of our senior players. I have to talk to them and put them on the right path before the next game said Sampath.

Bhulanese Manager Harka Tamang said that his side had lost six senior players as they are with the national team that is touring Saudi Arabia. This caused big problems, infact our main striker has to man the defence line. He said all in all the Lankans played a better game.

Turkmenistan beaten one nil

Myanmar defeated Turkmenistan one goal to nil in the first game played at the same reveue. This game on the whole was not that interesting as both teams failed to display good soccer.

In the first session of play both teams failed to produce any goals. This session was a dull period with players not moving fast as expected.

The soccer displayed in the next half improved a little bit with Turkamemnistan making an effort to penetrale the defence of their opponents on many occasions but failed to find the nets. There were almost three good scoring opportunities for Turkmenistanese.

Thiha Kyaw made good use of their feet to dribble past Turkmenistan defenders to score with nearly 18 mininutes left for play. Turkmemistan players could not find the equaliser as they looked a tired lot. The manager San Aung said that they were not happy with few dicisions made by the referee from Bangladesh Abdul Munaf Sarkeer.

Myanmar's skipper Win Aung Han was adjuged the man of the match.

The match between Ratnam SC and Transport United will be telecast today on Eye channel from 9.30 pm.