A Royal win

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Category: football

Published on Thursday, 17 November 2011 01:36

Written by Rhaya Page

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The 18th Annual Royal-Thomian Soccer Encounter draws in the conclusion of this year’s Royal-Thomian Encounters. Held at the CR & FC grounds, the underdogs St. Thomas’ College met their rivals Royal College who excelled in their convincing attack bringing across an intense and exciting game winning 3-1.

Starting with the Under 13 and Under 15 matches, Royal and St. Thomas’ won these events respectively with a penalty shoot out. The Royalists won the Under 17 match with the score of  1-0, encouraging their Under 19 team of a promising victory.

As the crowds drifted in, the Under 19 match went under way with the Thomians having possession of the ball first. Both teams showed signs of being nervous as they worked their way into the game clumsily to gain total possession of the ball. Royal then earned themselves a free kick delivering a good ball but the Thomians played a good defense to ensure the Royalists will not have an upper edge. The Thomians then had a good attempt on the goal but failed as Captain and goalie Akila Samarasinghe, which came across as an obvious foul that the referee ignored. The Royalists looked dangerous with ball and were vigorous on their attack, however roles reversed and Thomians looked aggressive within the first ten minutes of the match. The Thomians looked to score once again but Royal Capatain Samarasinghe saved his team by blocking the ball from their goal. The Thomians seemed to be tracking back well and in contrast Royal was playing an extremely physical game. A foul by the Thomians on the Royal attack made way to hypen the game. A throw ball by Nipuna Munasinghe to Isuru Umesh helped Royal achieve their first goal going against the run of play.

The Thomians were focused on their attack which in turn helped them score a free kick. Vice Captain Prabothan Joseph however just missed the Thomians chance of scoring as the ball just went slightly over the goal. The Thomians were once again on the attack with the Royalists defending impeccably. Nipuna Munasinghe did seem to be the key player on the Royal team as he was the playmaker of the game, holding his ground whilst entering Thomian territory. M. Nareshkumar just missed the Royalists from winning their second goal as the ball went over the goal slightly. The Thomians then proceeded to defend clumsily and they were not getting their goal kicks right, giving the  Royalists possession of the ball. The Thomians then started attacking harshly but they still could not get into the Royal penalty box. The Royalists then counter attacked the Thomians in a near chance in scoring a goal which was defended we by the Captain of the Thomians, JeromeRasiah.

The referee was blind sided by a foul which was in favor of the Royalists. Banuka Silva helped keep up the defense  for the Thomians, helping them to carry on a solid game. Munasinghe attempted a goal for Royal but missed out on scoring for his team. A good ball by Silva to Joseph and a mistake by the Royal goalie Samarasinghe nearly cost Royal their lead. Joseph once again tried to score a goal for his team but missed. The Thomians had a good play by Silva crossing the ball to Veediya Dissanayake that almost led to a goal but Samarasinghe catches the ball outside the penalty box which led to Thora having their first penalty kick. Joseph missed giving the Thomians a goal again due to a save by the Royal goalie and captain. Munasinghe tried once again to comeback for the Royalists but failed to score a goal. Against the run of play, F.H.M Fazil scored the Royalists their second goal. This led to the conclusion of the 1st half with the Royalists having a two point lead to the Thomians zero.

The second half of the match started with much determination with a Royal kick off, a foul gave Royal an advantage within the first few minutes of the second half. Munasinghe tries for a goal but misses another chance at scoring. With a foul ball, the Thomians got possession of the ball but Captain Akila had a slight fumble but manage to save the Royalists in the nick of time. Isuru Umesh then scores his second goal for the Royalists, bringing Royal to a lead of 3-0.  The game was definitely looking bleak for the Thomians, as in addition to the Royal’s 3 point lead, the referee blindsided another obvious foul with favorism to the Royalist. The Thomians started to look promising by trying to score a goal but however the Royalists defense was forceful not giving in to the Thomians. Munasinghe failed again to score a goal for the Royalists. A foul ad a yellow card was given to Munasinghe as he disturbed a free kick. With a free kick as an advantage, the Thomian captain Rasiah used this to score for his team their only goal. Royal tried to make a comeback with their attack but missed their opportunity. The Thomians then tried for another goal which Joseph passed to Daniel with a good cross but missed Devadason by inches making the Thomians miss yet another goal. With the Thomians coming on with a harsh attack, the Royalists were holding on desperately as the Thomians were attacking with much urgency. Munasinghe tried again to increase the Royalists lead but failed again.

The game began to get physical as both teams were trying desperately score and tempers were let loose. A clash between a Thomian and Royalist player with the Royalists down, was yet an obvious penalty that the referee ignored. The referee seemed biased towards to the Royalists as the match enfolded and it was much noted by the Thomian spectators in the crowd. The Thomians were on a firm attack but were missing opportunities to score.  The game slowly began to dwindle on till the last minutes of the second half where the Royalists were the favorites to win. In the last few minutes the Thomians tried to score again but with a save by Captain Akila, it was evident of a Royal win.

By full time the Royalists won the match with 3-1. The Thomians were more convincing in the 1st half but what made the Royalists a better chance of winning was the Royalists were taking chances whilst the Thomians played it safe.

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