Renown SC were unable to maintain standards they have kept in other tournaments and Colombo FC scored 3 goals against the favorites Renown to grab the very first title of the A.Zainulabdeen Challenge Trophy.
Renown SC having more national players than the opponents were unable to muster a up a good game. Underdogs Colombo FC started off well with the first half scoring 2 goals and not letting the Renown players to move with the ball. Captain of Renown SC M.Fazal could not show his star class talents throughout the game as he was totally marked by the defenders, who were chasing him whenever he touched the ball. M.Rifnaz, who switched clubs from Colombo FC to Renown SC, played his first game against his former club.
Due to a knee injury popular striker A.C.Frank could not play the finals, but his partner B.Dimitri scored the first goal of the match. From the very beginning Renown defenders were a bit clumsy and Dimitri took his chance whenever it came through even his shots did not reach the nets. Playmaker and the Manchester united rising star Ahamed Shazny had a perfect combination with his mate M.Rizni and the strikers.
Boys in Blue jersey let down the audience in the early stages of the game by letting Colombo FC score the opening goal for the match. Nigerian striker Bodrie Dimitri dribbled the ball along with his fake actions which confused defender Sameer who failed to stop Dimitri. Renown goalkeeper M.Usman failed to save Dimitri’s flat shot. With the intention to bounce back, skipper Fazal made the game faster by playing one touch passes and long passes. Unfortunately his team mates could not match his game. Striker Rifnaz who received an unexpected pass from right winger Shameel Ahamedh kicked the ball from his left foot. Though the kick was not powerful it reached the edge of the goal posts. Former Sri Lanka schools rugby full back, currently the goalkeeper of Colombo FC, Malik Jumath did not fail to collect the ball before it reached the nets.
Colombo FC defenders M.Fayazil and Osman knew the playing style of their opponents as they were behind the man before the opponents got the ball. Youngest player of the game and the under 16 captain of the Sri Lanka schools team M.Farood took a shot on top of the box which was not expected by anyone hit the top bar. Hakeem Kamil was not successful with his rebound header. At the latter part of the first half Colombo FC scored their second when mid- fielder M.Rizni made a cross to the far post which was finished with a slight touch to the nets by the right winger Aabid Akram.
Colombo FC led the first half by 2-0.
Renown SC tried their level best to bounce back. Fazal changing the game plans during the match was a mistake as none of his team mates were able to understand his plan. A lob pass given by the right defender M.Rizkhan to the striker Rifnaz who managed to go through the defenders missed an easy chance facing the goalkeeper one on one. Few minutes later Rifnaz received another pass just as same as the previous one. Yet again he failed to score standing in front of the goal keeper.
Colombo FC sealed their 3rd goal when a rebound ball was collected by left winger M.Farzan who was successful with his volley kick from the right side of the field which reached the nets within a millisecond. The ground was packed with spectators and Farzans goal was well received. G.N.Rubesh blew the final whistle as the score was 3-0 in favor of Colombo FC.
The favourites Renown failed to score any goal as Colombo FC created major upset by winning the tournament organized by the Victory Sports Club in Memory of late Mr.A.Zainulabdeen. Malik Jumath was awarded the best goalkeeper of the tournament and M.Fayazil was awarded the best player of the tournament. The champions went home with the prize money of Rs.100,000/-.
