S. Thomas’ College defeated Gateway College 2-1 at the 7th Annual S. Thomas’ v Gateway Football Encounter played at the Police Park, Colombo.
With the win S. Thomas’ won their first ever Neville De Alwis – Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy since its inception.
Both teams started the game with high intensity, as Varenthiran blazed a shot over the target for S. Thomas’ while Aiden Perera nearly scored from two free-kicks. One of Perera’s free-kicks were cleared at the near post after it sneaked under the five-man wall and the other just went over the crossbar.
Thomian skipper Seneshka Liyanagunawardena cleared a header off the goalline and Varenthiran’s volleyed effort on the turn once again went just over. The best chance in the first 20-minutes fell for the visitors when Mudazar Mukhtar drove into the box from the right and sent in a low cross only for the effort to be scuffed and allowed Gateway goalkeeper Nadal Senapala an easy recovery.
PHOTOS
After sustained pressure S. Thomas’ opened the scoring in the 32nd minute through Mayanka Dias, who drilled in from close, after getting on the end of another low cross from Mukhtar. Minutes later Gateway got a double crack at goal but both efforts were blocked by the defense.
Half Time – Gateway 0 – 1 S. Thomas’
Gateway attacked in search of an equalizer early in the 2nd half but it was the Thomians who doubled their lead in the 56th minute.
A defense splitting through ball from Mayanka Dias resulted in a mixup between Nadal Senapala and a defender, where both players failed to clear the ball allowing Mudazar Mukhtar to tap the ball into an empty net.
Gateway dominated possession but lacked the execution in the final third while S. Thomas’ were happy to attack on the break.
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With 10-minutes left Liyanagunawardena, who had a brilliant game, was deemed to have handled the ball inside the box giving Gateway an opening for a comeback. Hunan Haleem slotted the penalty, setting up an interesting final few minutes.
The Thomians weathered wave after wave of Gateway attack to finally win their first game in the Neville De Alwis – Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy.
Full Time – Gateway 1 – 2 S. Thomas’
Match Summary
Goal Scorers
S. Thomas’ – Mayanka Dias 32’, Mudazar Mukhtar 55’
Gateway – Hunan Haleem 81’ (P)
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