Holy Cross College came from a goal down in the 2nd half to win 2-1 in a do or die game against Hameed Al Husseinie College at Holy Cross College grounds, Kalutara to book a place in the semi-finals.
The mouthwatering clash was set up with to decide who qualifies, between Zahira & Holy Cross, for semi-finals along with Hameed Al Husseinie College who already booked their place thanks to walkover victory against Zahira College.
Meanwhile, a hard earned draw against Zahira College meant that a victory will propel the Kalutara boys into the semis.
Resolute Holy Cross steals point at Zahira
Shafran Sathar had an evening to forget as Kevin Asela cancelled out Ijaz Ishan’s second half goal with a thunderbolt of a strike to grab a point for Holy Cross College.
With lots at stake, a hard fought game was expected but to crowd’s disappointment both teams started off the proceedings lazily.
Hameed Al Husseinie with the semis in mind rested the likes of Mohammad Aman, Mohammad Sajith and few of the first XI players due to injury concerns.
The boys from Colombo who took their own time to settle into the game slowly but steadily executed their natural ball passing game.
Despite the possession they had, Hameed Al Husseinie was never able to create a decent chance against a tidy Holy Cross defense. After a few efforts from long range, both sides opened up the game. Holy Cross created few opportunities through the flanks. It was Hameed Al Husseinie who broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. A break in concentration from Holy Cross defenders allowed Mohammad Aadhil to go one on one with the goalkeeper and he coolly slotted the ball into the net.
Half Time: Holy Cross College 0 – 1 Hameed Al Husseinie College
Holy Cross didn’t take much time to equalize in the second half as Nirmal Udara ran straight at the goalkeeper and deposited the ball past him to make it one all.
In the 43rd minute, Holy Cross went in front thanks to another comedy of errors. Nirmal Udara made another run but unleashed a weak effort at goal. But the Hameed Al Husseinie custodian and national U19 goalkeeper Mahendran Dinesh let the ball go through his legs which allowed Nirmal to run past him and poke the ball into an empty net.
SLSFA confirm walkovers including Zahira v Hameed Al Husseinie
The Sri Lanka Schools’ Football Association (SLSFA) confirmed the three walkover results in the U19 Division I Championship.
After going down, a Hameed Al Husseinie attacking master class was expected. But the players didn’t show any sort of urgency at all to attack or move forward.
In the end, the final whistle was just a formality to end things as both teams were more than happy with the result.
Full Time: Holy Cross College 2 – 1 Hameed Al Husseinie College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Nirmal Udara (Holy Cross College)
The result meant that the newly crowned Kotmale U19 champions Zahira College crashed out of the tournament allowing Holy Cross College to sneak into semi-finals. They will face Maris Stella College while Hameed Al Husseinie College will face St. Joseph’s College in the semi-finals which will be held on the 19th of this month.
Speaking to ThePapare.com, Holy Cross College Master in Charge Dilan said;
“We came into the match with an attacking approach. It was the win we were looking for and we were able to achieve it. Hameed Al Husseinie is a very good team but we managed to steal the match. Now we have to focus on the semis. There are few injury concerns, but nothing serious.”
On the other hand, the losing side’s Coach Mohamed Imran was all smiles despite the negative result;
“We were already through to semis and this was like a practice match for us. That’s the reason for resting first XI players and giving young bloods a chance. We had few injury concerns also coming into the game. We didn’t play our normal hard football since we don’t want to take any risk whatsoever. I’m happy how we bossed the game despite the result. We are focusing on the semis and I think we will take this performance as a boost”
At the end of the day, it was hard to decide which team was happier of the two, but one team will not like how things unfolded at Kalutara.
Goal scorers
Holy Cross College: Nirmal Udara 41’, 43’
Hameed Al Husseinie College: Mohammad Aadhil 25’
