Sri Lanka came from a goal down to defeat Bhutan 5-2 while Japan annihilated Bhutan 9-0 in the South Asia – Japan U16 Football Exchange Four Nations Tournament at the Race Course International Stadium.
Japan edge past stout Sri Lanka; Nepal hammer Bhutan
Nepal romped to a 7-1 win against Bhutan while Sri Lanka weathered the dominant Japanese but had to concede…
Sri Lanka v Bhutan
Sri Lanka had a time to forget as they missed a host of chances with the likes of Mohamed Shabeer, Mohamed Murshid and Praneeth Shaminda being the guilty parties.
Sri Lanka exceled in their wing play with Murshid, one of the fastest players, creating trouble for the defenders. However it was Bhutan who played the passing game well in midfield compared to the hosts.
Sri Lanka were punished for their sloppiness infront of the goal as Sherub Dorji, who came on as a substitute midway through the 1st half, scored in the 39th minute.
However the hosts responded straight from the kick-off as Shabeer rounded of the goalkeeper to equalize. Four minutes later he would give Sri Lanka the lead as half time arrived a few minutes later.
Half time – Sri Lanka 2 – 1 Bhutan
Shabeer would add two more in the 59th and 66th minutes to go 4-1 up in the 2nd half. With 15 minutes remaining Sri Lanka gave a penalty and Jkelzang Jigmi, like he did a day earlier, beat the keeper to make it 4-2.
There was no comeback for the Bhutanese as Murshid got a deserved goal on the stroke of full time.
Full time – Sri Lanka 5 – 2 Bhutan
Goal Scorers
Sri Lanka – Mohamed Shabeer 40’, 44’, 59’ & 66’, Mohamed Murshid 90’
Bhutan – Sherub Dorji 39’, Jkelzang Jigmi 85’
Japan v Nepal
Japan took their time in getting the first goal but when they did there was no stopping the boys from ‘The Land of the Rising Sun.’
The tall Sako Mayo scored from a towering header in the 17th minute and four minutes later Kondo Kuraba added the 2nd.
Then Japan went on a rampage scoring three goals in three minutes. Nishikawa Jun scored the 3rd in the 32nd minute and Kuraba completed his hat-trick with goals in the 33rd and 34th minutes.
Half time – Japan 5 – 0 Nepal
Two minutes into the 2nd half Jun added his 2nd while Nakano Keita scored twice either side of a Sumi Koshiro goal in the 63rd minute to complete the rout.
Full time – Japan 9 – 0 Nepal
Goal Scorers
Japan – Sako Mayo 17’, Kondo Kuraba 21’, 33’, 34’, Nishikawa Jun 32’, 47’, Nakano Keita 58’, 85’, Sumi Koshiro 63’
