Anjana Imaranga scored two goals as he inspired Herman Gmeiner, Piliyandala from a goal down to beat S.Thomas’ College, Matara 4-2 in the Kotmale Chox Schools U19 Football Championship group match at the Football Federation Grounds, Matara.
After getting the early advantage Thomians’ Shamindu Ishara entered the box to score their first goal and successfully won the support of the crowd by scoring the goal in the 11th minute.
However the joy was short lived as Imaranga equalized in the 14th minute from a counter attack. He sprinted with the ball from the halfway line and shoot the ball with his left foot from just inside the box that the ball entered the goal at the far post.
7 minutes later the visitors took the lead when Vidura Theekshana scored a spectacular team goal where they fooled all the defenders of S.Thomas’.
After the two back to back goals the hosts were stunned and looked disorganized.
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In the 32nd minute a Herman Gmeiner striker sprinted forward with the ball towards the goal and the Thomian defense was unable stop him and Oshada Vimukthi of pulled down the striker with a reckless tackle, which earned him a yellow card.
After the half time Herman Gmeiner boys looked stronger than they were in the first half. The substitute Dulan Iranga was in a hurry to smash another goal. He took the ball from the defense side to offence and passed it to Anjana who returned the pass but Dulan missed a golden chance to get the goal with his head but went out after hitting the crossbar.
Not to be disappointed Dulan kept fighting and got a deserved goal. He entered the penalty box beating three defenders and unleashed a powerful strike where the goalkeeper was poor enough to stop the ball which entered the goal after hitting his hands.
After the goal the Thomians heads were down and struggled against the lads from Piliyandala. However Avindu inspired a Thomian fight back as they started to give pressure to Herman Gmeiner lads.
Thomian captain Shamindu Ishara curled a dangerous ball to his striker and he successful shot the ball but the talented Herman Gmeiner goalkeeper saved a certain goal by jumping from right corner to left.
Thomian strikers were in a feisty tussle to hunt for a goal. Himal Sithara successfully struck a headed goal which he got assisted from the tall man Kaveesha Deneth making the match more interesting.
In the 74th minute Imaranga put the game to be when he scored his 2nd and won the match for the visitors.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Anjana Imaranga
Goal Scorers:
Herman Gmeiner: Anjana Imaranga (14th & 74th), Vidura Theekshana (21st), Dulan Iranga (57th)
S.Thomas’ College Matara: Shamindu Ishara (11th), Himal Sithara
