The U18 Division I Schools’ Football Championship Group A match played between Kingswood College and Maris Stella College had to be called off in the 64th minute due to bad weather at Randles Hills with Maris Stella leading 2-1.
Zahira & Maris Stella cruise past St.Peter’s & Kinniya Central
Skipper Nisal Tharinda Silva gave the hosts the perfect start with.
After the brawl in Katuneriya in the first week of the tournament and the ID issue of St. Benadict’s College last week, Kingswood hadn’t been able to complete a single match in the tournament. They came into the game missing present Sri Lanka Schools’ vice-captain Pathum Vimukthi, who is currently with the national team.
Maris Stella on the other hand, came into the game unbeaten after winning 3 of their 4 games in the tournament so far. Their only draw came against St.Benedict’s last week.
Kingswood took control from the kickoff. In the first minute of the game Inoon Insham’s header hit the post but visitors’ goalkeeper Pamuditha Prakash collected it well. Kingswood center-forward Hirusha Nethmina received some good passes through Dushan Manodar and managed to make his way through the defensive line. However, he was unable to convert these opportunities into goals.
Pamuditha had his work cut out as he held off the charge of the Kingswoodians. Things began to change in the 10th minute as Maris Stella College skipper Nisal Tharinda received a long pass from the midfield and scored the opener.
There was some good football from both teams after the 1st goal and both goalkeepers Pamuditha Prakash and Janith Vimarshana were tested several times. In the final minute of the first half Nisal scored again for the visitors, beating 3 defenders.
Half time – Kingswood College 0 – 2 Maris Stella College
In the 2nd half Kingswood were on the attack right from the start. In the 43rd minute Maris Stella’s Shanon Charuka and Hirusha Malin received back to back yellow cards as the visitors went on the defensive.
In the 51st minute Kingswood received a corner and Sanka Jayamina sent in a perfect cross which Hirusha Nethmina sent on its way to the goal. However, the visitors’ goalie stopped the shot only to have Kingswood skipper Dulin Wijenarayana deposit the rebound at the back of the net to give the hosts their 1st.
Hirusha received a long ball by Janith Vimanshana but he missed a golden opportunity to equalize with just the keeper to beat. Around 58th minute a small drizzle turned into heavy rainfall and the grounds became unsuitable for play. The referees spoke to the 2 captains and the match called off in the 64th minute without a final result.
The remaining 16 minutes + extra time will be played on another day.
2nd half – Kingswood College 1 – 2 Maris Stella College (with 16 minutes remaining)
Goal Scorers
Kingswood College – Dulin Wijenarayana 51′
Maris Stella College – Nisal Tharinda 10′ & 40′
