Peshala Rajakaruna scored a double hat-trick and Sundararaj Niresh scored four as S.Peter’s College ran all over Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala in a 14-1 rout at Bambalapitiya.
S.Peter’s College scored six in the first half and turned on the screws in the second scoring eight and it would have been twenty plus goals had it not been for A.B.Prabath, Maliyadeva goalkeeper who is also an U17 national goalkeeper. S.Peter’s came into the match with a 3-1 win under their belt against Lumbini College while Maliyadeva College were playing their first match in the group A of the All Island U19 Schools Football Championship.
It was all S.Peter’s from the opening whistle as they were camped inside the Maliyadeva half creating chances at will. Surprisingly it took the Peterites 10 minutes to open the scoring and it came from the boot of Niresh and two minutes later Rajakaruna had his first of the evening.
Maliyadeva managed to go 20 minutes without conceding escaping dangers largely thanks to exceptional saves from Prabath – be it of long range shots or shots from point blank range. He made a triple save within a couple of seconds from close range to deny Afam Akram and Ishan Perera.
Niresh in the 30th minute Messi-ed his way into the box pass a host of defenders tucked it away with the keeper stranded to make it 3-0. Then from 25 yards out he completed his hat-trick with a thumping low drive. Java Lane winger Afam Akram then got into the act bagging his first leaving his marker to dry on the left wing. Peshala added his second minutes later while S.Peter’s were awarded a penalty and P.Praveen’s effort was brilliantly judged and saved by Prabath.
The second half started off quietly with Peterite coach Isuru Perera making a few substitutions but the goals started flowing once they settled with Niresh adding his fourth. Dananjaya Supramithra also scored a hat-trick with the rest of the goals going to Peshala Rajakaruna. In the second half as well Prabath pulled of numerous saves in the face of abject defending by his defenders but the lads from Kurunegala were able to pull back a goal with R.N.Herath scoring from a corner kick.
“As a team we played good but missed a few chances. The game is like that. This is the second match we are playing in the tournament there is improvement and I believe it will improve in the coming matches. We are creating chances so that is good. Their goalkeeper also played well.” S.Peter’s coach Isuru Uditha Perera shared his thoughts with ThePapare.com after the match.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Sundararaj Niresh
