Ratnam, Renown remain unbeaten

Bernard PERERA

The Renown Sports Club from Kotahena outplayed strong outfit from Pettah the Saunders Sports Club three goals to two in crucial game in the ongoing Dialog Champions League encounter at the City Football League ground yesterday. With this they also managed to stay unbeaten in group A along with Ratnam SC.

The young Renown SC got ahead in the 25th minute of the game when national Youth Player M.N.M Fazal found the net to put his side in front. Saunders SC fought all the way but could not find the equalizer.

Ten minutes later Renown SC went further ahead through the goal scored by A.A. Fazul Rahuman. The Lemons were taken with the Kotahena Club in front 2-0.

The Second session started with Saunders SC fighting to reduce the lead and they were successful in their bid on when they were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute of the game the taken by Sudara Madhusanka beat the custodian. The score read 2-1.

Saunders’ players at this stage went all out to find the next goal to equalize and they made it through the boot of Dilan Kaushalya de Silva.

The game got hotter and hotter as both teams were looking for the goal that was needed for victory. Saunders SC made many inroads to their opponents territory but failed to find the right target. The defenders of the Renown team played a fine game to halt the Saunders SC from scoring.

Saunders in their attempt to score tried to take long range kicks. Here too they were lucky as the ball struck the cross bar depriving them the goal. Renown custodian Yalendran Sasheekumar and the custodian of Saunders V. Asanga Viraj played their part well, while defenders of both teams were seen giving their best for the teams.

With five minutes away from the final blow Young Fazal who picked the ball from the goal mouth slammed in the much needed goal for Renown SC which also sealed victory for the Kotahena Club at 3-2.

In a another game played at FFSL ground Kelaniya Ratnam SC completely over ran the Jupiters SC six goals to two.

At Negombo Don Bosco plying hosts to Police SC came out as victors defeating the visitors three goals to nil.

Negombo Youth SC suffered their third successive defeat when the Kalutura’ Blue Star SC beat them three goals to nil.

Sri Lanka Army playing against the New Youngs SC from Wennappuwa made their second consecutive win two goals to one. New Youngs SC have won two games out of three game they have played so far.