St. Peter’s College, Nalanda College, and Zahira College Puttalam dominated in their respective matches to progress one step closer to the coveted trophy on day two of the President’s Cup at the City Football Complex grounds.
St. Peter’s College vs. Zahira College, Gampola
This match saw St. Peter’s College initially struggling for possession of the ball as Zahira College, Gampola managed to threaten the Peterite back four with menacing attacks.
However, a few minutes into the game, the tide turned in favour of St. Peter’s College as Niran Fernando started bossing the midfield therefore allowing for some great deliveries to the strikers, namely Mohamed Shabeer.
This was displayed in pretty much the entire macth as this allowed for Shabeer to utilise the wings in order to let his team mates overload the box to put them ahead.
Eventually it was John Wickramasinghe and Ishan that ended up in the score sheet, in which the latter scored through a laser guided low shot from a free kick at the edge of the box.
Final Score – St. Peter’s College 2 – 0 Zahira College, Gampola
DS. Senanayake College vs. Nalanda College
It was the boys in maroon that took charge of the game immediately after kick off as they possessed the ball with more conviction, especially in the feet of Chamath Kodithuwakku as he displayed some fancy footwork that bamboozled the opposing defenders which eventually led to the creation of a simple tap in by Buddima Praveen through a great cross.
It was meant to be a simple wash out for Nalanda College, given the aggressive style of play employed. However, the tables were turned as D.S. Senanayake College capitalised on a defensive error of the Nalandian back four, which led to Tharuka lobbing one over the keeper to keep things level pegging.
The boys in yellow soon employed a defensive tactic in order to fend off any Nalandian attack, which was successful until the full time whistle was blown.
With penalties under way, it was once again the boys in maroon that kept their heads together thus winning the shootout 4 – 1
Final Score (Penalties) – D. S. Senanayake College (4) 1 – 1 (1) Nalanda College
T. B. Jayah Zahira College vs. Zahira College, Puttalam
This too proved to be a one sided match as Zahira College, Puttalam had the lion half of possession therefore creating the greater amount of chances.
Two goals were scored by Mohamed Musakkir and Mohamed Jaheer, both being excellently constructed through intricate passes which eventually led to simple placed shots to goal in the first half.
T. B Jayah Zahira College, however, was able to salvage a solitary goal in the dying minutes of the second half with a rare opportunity that T. S. Aadil received due to a defensive blunder in the back four of the Puttalam side.
Final Score – T. B. Jayah Zahira College 1 – 2 Zahira College, Puttalam
